Habituation and Dishabituation of Cortical and Brainstem Evoked Potentials

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Abstract
Habituation of cortical and brainstem evoked potentials (CEPs and BEPs) defined by response diminution and recovery (dishabituation) was studied in 8 normal adults and 14 healthy neonates. CEPs and BEPs were recorded from the vertex of the scalp using a procedure of continuous stimulation. Average responses obtained in 5 min intervals (5, 10, 15 min) following the onset of stimulation were compared with the initial average. If there was no difference in the successive EPs, stimulation continued as before. If a decrement (habituation) was apparent at any interval, a slight change in the intensity of the stimulus or its rate of presentation produced dishabituation during the next average. Within 5-10 min, the CEP showed marked habituation and recovered immediately upon the introduction of a novel stimulus (dishabituation). Habituation was seen only when subjects (adults) read during the stimulation period. When subjects were not provided with specific instructions, there was no EP change during the course of the session. Unlike the CEP, the BEP proved to be quite resistant to repetitive stimulation. The presentation of over 50,000 stimuli in a relatively short period of time (1 hr) failed to produce an appreciable decrement in any of the BEP components (I-V). This was true for both infants and adults. Descriptors: Cortical evoked potentials, brainstem evoked potentials, habituation, dishabituation.

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