The Potentials Recorded Around the Spinal Cord

Lydia Maria Pereira Giuliano,Karlo Faria Nunes,Gilberto Mastrocola Manzano

doi:10.34024/rnc.2013.v21.8169

Lydia Maria Pereira Giuliano, Karlo Faria Nunes + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.34024/rnc.2013.v21.8169

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Abstract

Introduction. Clinical Neurophysiology is strongly based on the interpretation of electric potential fields. Such interpretations may sometimes create different conceptual objects that over time end up as different sides of the same phenomenon. An instructive example is represented by the potential fields recorded around the spinal cord viewed from a historical perspective. Method. A brief historical account is given of the potentials recorded around the spinal cord. Results. Dorsal root reflex, dorsal root potential, cord dorsum potential and primary afferent depolarization are described. Conclusion. all these potentials are mainly different aspects of the same generator - the segmental spinal cord activities - secondary to the recordings by different leads.

Highlights

Clinical Neurophysiology is strongly based on the interpretation of electric potential fields
In 1956, Koketsu[8] made intracellular recordings from intramedullary segments of the primary afferent fibers and showed directly that the efferent side of the dorsal root reflex was composed of antidromic action potentials generated at those fibers, observations that were later confirmed by Eccles et al[9]
Dorsal Root Potential (DRP) Barron and Matthews[10] described another response, related to the observations of Gotch and Horsley[1], consisting of a negative slow potential recorded from a dorsal root following stimulation of the same or adjacent dorsal roots, and named it DORSAL ROOT POTENTIAL (DRP) (Figure 2); it was shown that the response had characteristics of a post-synaptic potential and the authors did not interpret it as such, they suggested that the response was secondary to electrotonic propagation from the primary afferent fibers[11]

Summary

Introduction

Clinical Neurophysiology is strongly based on the interpretation of electric potential fields. Uma breve revisão histórica é feita dos potenciais registrados ao redor da medula espinhal.

Results

Conclusion