Influence of age on cerebral potentials evoked by oesophageal balloon distension in humans

The recording of viscerosensory cerebral evoked potentials is a new field in the research on gastrointestinal perception. The aim of our study was to assess the relationships between age and peak amplitudes and latencies of cerebral potentials evoked by balloon distension of the human oesophagus. In 16 healthy volunteers (aged 21-59 years), cerebral evoked potentials were recorded from a midline scalp electrode, using a series of 50 rapid balloon inflations with 13 ml of air. Peak to peak amplitudes (N1-P1, P1-N2) and peak latencies (N1, P1, N2) were assessed. Inverse correlations were found between age and N1-P1 amplitude (P < 0.05), and between age and P1-N2 amplitudes (P < 0.05). N1 and P1 latencies were significantly longer in elderly patients (N1: P < 0.05; P1: P < 0.05). Amplitudes and peak latencies of cerebral potentials evoked by balloon distension of the oesophagus are age-dependent. In cerebral evoked potential studies, patients and healthy controls should be age-matched.