A Comparative Study of Compound Action Potentials and Currents

Abstract

The recording of compound action potentials (CAPs) from peripheral nerves is a routine clinical investigative procedure in the operating room. Parameters such as amplitude, area, conduction velocity, and latency are used as measures for the functional integrety of the nerve. Pathology produces reduction in conduction velocities, desynchronization of compound nerve action potentials and, in severe disease, complete conduction block, leading to observable changes in these measurements. A number of technical difficulties exist which produce distortions in this data. For example, reliable and repeatable measurements of these parameters require careful electrodes placement. Also, changes in nerve moistness produces conductivity changes. These factors affect the amplitudes of the CAPs producing errors in the measured data (Wikswo et al, 1985).