Unibase/glycol as an electrolyte medium for recording the electrodermal duct filling response.

Abstract

ABSTRACTTwo experiments with 12 subjects each compared electrodermal recordings taken simultaneously with four different electrolyte media. These were polyethylene glycol, Unibase/glycol, Unibase, and hydrated agar (i.e., a site recorded with agar electrolyte which had been attached to the skin long enough to attain a high degree of hydration). The primary purpose was to compare the electrolyte containing a mixture of Unibase/glycol with the other electrolytes. The glycol and the hydrated agar were assumed to reflect low and high levels of epidermal hydration, respectively. These comparisons were made for monophasic negative SPRs and slow recovery SCRs (and their associated prestimulus levels), which are believed to reflect the endosomatic and exosomatic manifestations of the epidermal duct filling response.Unibase/glycol was quite similar to glycol alone with the exception of the prestimulus SPL associated with negative SPRs. Taken in conjunction with previous findings, the results suggest that for most aspects of electrodermal activity Unibase/glycol is a convenient electrolyte medium for use when minimal hydration is required. It is argued on theoretical grounds that minimal hydration is preferable for skin potential recordings.