Understanding Evoked Potentials

Evoked potentials are tests that measure the electrical responses of the brain and nervous system to specific sensory stimuli such as flashes of light clicking sounds or gentle shocks to the skin They assess how quickly and effectively sensory signals travel from the eyes ears or peripheral nerves to the brain Neurologists use these studies to detect damage in visual auditory and somatosensory pathways that may not be obvious on routine examination or MRI especially in conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord disease

Types of Evoked Potential Tests

Visual evoked potentials evaluate the pathway from the retina to the visual cortex often using a checkerboard pattern on a screen while electrodes on the scalp record responses Brainstem auditory evoked responses test the hearing nerve and brainstem by delivering clicking sounds through earphones and recording the resulting waves Somatosensory evoked potentials stimulate peripheral nerves in the arms or legs and track signals as they ascend the spinal cord to the brain Together these tests help localise conduction delays and confirm demyelination or structural damage along specific tracts

Procedure and Safety

During the test small surface electrodes are placed on the scalp and sometimes over the spine or limbs after cleaning the skin The patient sits or lies comfortably while repetitive stimuli are presented The computer averages many responses to extract consistent waveforms from background EEG activity The procedure is non invasive and safe causing at most mild discomfort from repetitive clicks or tingling at stimulation sites There is no electrical current delivered into the body beyond brief sensory level impulses used for somatosensory testing

Why Choose Livasa Hospital Mohali for Evoked Potentials

Livasa Hospital Mohali offers evoked potential testing as part of a comprehensive neurophysiology service along with EEG EMG and nerve conduction studies Neurologists integrate these results with MRI and clinical examination to improve diagnosis of multiple sclerosis optic neuritis spinal cord diseases and brainstem lesions for patients across Punjab

NAP Contact Details Mohali Unit

Livasa Hospital Mohali
Sector 71 Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar Mohali Punjab 160071