Noninvasive measurement of central sensory and motor conduction

Potentials evoked by median and peroneal nerve stimulation were digitally filtered between 300 and 2,500 Hz to measure early latency components and assess sensory cord conduction velocity. Short (R1) and long (R2) latency reflex responses were recorded from contracting thenar and tibialis anterior muscles. R1 is considered a spinal reflex akin to the H-reflex. Clinical evidence suggests that R2 involves a reflex arc with turnaround at the motor cortex. Sensory-motor cord velocity was derived from the latencies of R1 and R2. The method can be used to compare peripheral and central sensory conduction or conduction in central sensory and motor pathways.