Sensory Action Potential Measurements From Sural Nerve Of Healthy Population.

Abstract

The action potential studies of peripheral nerves are widely used as a tool for investigation and evaluation of neuropathies. These studies called as nerve conduction studies (NCS), include motor and sensory conduction velocities, duration, amplitude, latency and motor action potentials. The sensory action potential measurement is a fairly reproducible parameter. This study was designed to find out Sural nerve sensory action potentials in normal individuals. We carried out this study at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from June 1993 to May 1995. Eighty one normal individuals were selected who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Age ranged from 17 to 75 years with a mean age of 39.63 4.52 (KG/M2). Mean Sural nerve sensory action potentials (SNSAP) in normal individuals in European population is 13.67.5V (Aminoff 1987). Sural nerve sensory action potentials in our study were 8.895.39V. Conclusion: We conclude that our population has lower Sural nerve sensory action potentials as compared to the Western population. The sex of the individual does not influence whereas the age dose affect these potentials.