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Midazolam and somatosensory evoked potentials
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Turner Dental School, University Dental Hospital, Manchester.
The British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Intravenous midazolam reduced late somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) components in volunteers. This suggests midazolam may affect pain perception, beyond its sedative and amnesic effects, during conscious sedation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Midazolam is a common sedative and amnestic agent used in conscious sedation.
- Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are neurophysiological measures reflecting sensory pathway function.
- The impact of midazolam on pain processing, as indicated by SEPs, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of intravenous midazolam on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs).
- To assess the influence of midazolam on early and late SEP components.
- To explore potential correlations between SEP changes and pain perception.
Main Methods:
- Twenty healthy volunteers participated in the study.
- SEPs were elicited via median nerve stimulation and recorded from the scalp.
- SEP amplitudes were measured before and at intervals after midazolam administration.
Main Results:
- Early SEP components (N18-N20) remained stable.
- Late SEP components (N50-P90 through P250-N380) showed significant amplitude reduction post-midazolam.
- These late component amplitude reductions persisted for at least 60 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Midazolam significantly attenuates late SEP components, suggesting an effect on sensory processing.
- The observed SEP changes correlate with subjective pain reports, indicating a potential analgesic effect of midazolam.
- Midazolam may modulate pain perception in addition to its sedative and amnesic properties during conscious sedation.