par Chéron, Guy 
;Hainaut, Karl
Référence Journal français de biophysique & médecine nucléaire, 4, 3, page (149-154)
Publication Publié, 1980
;Hainaut, Karl Référence Journal français de biophysique & médecine nucléaire, 4, 3, page (149-154)
Publication Publié, 1980
Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | Peripheral and central somatosensory pathways were studied in intact octogenarians by electrical stimulation of the skin and by recording the averaged electrical responses. Peripheral sensory fibres were studied by the antidromic sensory potential method. Reduced amplitude and increased duration of the antidromic potential were observed, a finding which suggests a loss of some nerve fibres and perhaps an alteration of some others. It is interesting that the refractory period remains normal. This points to rather intact membrane properties of the excitable nerve fibres. The orthodromic conduction was studied up to the cervical spinal cord by recording the somatosensory evoked potentials at several points from finger to neck. The results indicate a rather reduced slowing of the nerve conduction as compared to the one observed in the most distal parts. The central transit time from cervical cord to postcentral cortex was studied by recording scalp postcentral somatosensory evoked potentials. This was found to be fairly well preserved. The quantitative features of several components of the potential are discussed in relation to possible aging processes in the brain. |
