[Vestibular evoked myogenic potential: a contribution to the vestibular physiology and pathology knowledge. Quantitative patterns in healthy subjects]

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2005 Oct;56(8):349-53. doi: 10.1016/s0001-6519(05)78628-3.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Vestibulocollic reflex is a muscular reflex which is activated by acoustic stimulation. It shows two components: the first one, the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VMEP) related to the vestibular pathway and the second, to the auditive pathway. The VMEP potential could be useful for vestibular physiology and pathology knowledge.

Objective: To determine the VMEP's parameters of normality and to evaluate influential factors such as age, sex or stimulation intensity.

Material and methods: Prospective study of the VCR in 40 healthy individuals, distributed in 4 groups according to their age. Stimulation was carried out at 100db and 85db on each ear independently.

Results: There are not differences between both ears and sexes. Normal latency levels must be separated between two groups of age: older and younger than 11 years old. Normal absolute values of amplitude response differ depending on muscular contraction, age and stimulation intensity. It is more representative to consider the difference between the values obtained in the two ears of the same individual than to consider the absolute values.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Auditory Pathways / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electromyography / instrumentation
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vestibular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vestibular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Vestibular Function Tests*