Long term stability of somatosensory evoked potentials and the effects of microgravity

Exposure to microgravity causes a height increase of up to 70 mm that places traction on the spine and may possibly lead to spinal cord dysfunction. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) have been widely used to monitor spinal cord function. This study was carried out to determine the long-term stability of the latency of SSEP's in individual subjects and the feasibility of recording SSEP's in a microgravity environment.

Baseline values and variability of the latency of the cortical evoked potentials were established in seven subjects over periods of 1-2.5 years. These values were then compared with measurements made in six of the subjects during periods of microgravity on a KC-135 aircraft. The latency of the cortical potentials was also measured in the evening and in the morning before rising in a separate group of seven subjects, to determine whether there was any diurnal variation.

The mean coefficient of variance of the latency of the SSEP was approximately 1.5% of the latency, and there were no changes in the latency over the period studied. There was no evidence of diurnal variation in the latency of the cortical SSEP. Satisfactory recordings of the SSEP were obtained in five of six subjects tested in microgravity. In three of these five subjects there was a significant decrease in the latency of the cortical SSEP in microgravity.

In individual subjects the latency of the cortical SSEP varies within very small limits (1.5%) over 1-2.5 years. The results demonstrate the feasibility of recording SSEP's in the microgravity state. They show that relatively small changes (2-3 ms) in the latency of the SSEP can be detected when prior baseline values are established for each subject. The reason for the decrease in latency of the cortical SSEP in some subjects on the KC-135 is not known.