Mid-latency auditory evoked potentials during ketamine anaesthesia in humans

We studied mid-latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) during induction of general anaesthesia with ketamine 2 mg kg-1. MLAEP were recorded before, during and after induction of general anaesthesia on the vertex (positive) and mastoid (negative) positions. Latencies of the peak V, Na, Pa, Nb, P1 and amplitudes Na/Pa, Pa/Nb and Nb/P1 were measured. Fast-Fourier transformation was used to calculate power spectra of the MLAEP. In the awake state, MLAEP had large peak-to-peak amplitudes and a periodic waveform. Peak latencies remained within the normal range. Power spectra indicated high energy in the 30-40 Hz frequency range. After induction of general anaesthesia with ketamine, there was no change in latency of peaks V, Na, Pa, Nb, P1 and no apparent reduction in amplitudes Na/Pa, Pa/Nb and Nb/P1. In the power spectra, frequencies in the range of 30-40 Hz retained high energy. Amplitudes and latencies of MLAEP did not change during induction of general anaesthesia with ketamine. Primary processing of auditory stimuli in the primary auditory cortex seemed to be preserved under ketamine. Suppression of sensory (auditory) information processing must take place at a higher cortical level in a dissociative manner.