Determination of evoked potentials in occupational and environmental medicine: a review

The measurement of cerebral evoked and event-related potentials is a promising technique for assessment of subclinical neurotoxicity and has recently been introduced into occupational and environmental medicine. Evoked potentials consist of somatosensory, visual, and auditory evoked potentials, and event-related potentials include the P300 potential. Measurement of these potentials can localize central nervous system impairments caused by exposure to a wide variety of hazardous factors in the workplace and the general environment. This paper is intended to provide an overview of research utilizing these potentials to evaluate the effects of work-related factors. The available data indicate that these potentials are sensitive and reliable methods that are easily standardized and practical to apply in the field setting. Researchers should note, however, that several covariates such as age, skin or body temperature, height, alcohol ingestion, and intelligence can influence assessment of these cerebral potentials in clinical and epidemiologic studies.