Quantitative analysis of motor evoked potentials in the neonatal lamb

This study focuses on developing a reliable method for measuring and analyzing motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in neonatal lambs. MEPs are electrical signals that indicate how well the motor pathways in the brain and spinal cord are functioning. The researchers used electrical stimulation of the motor cortex and recorded the resulting muscle activity in the limbs. They developed a custom-made algorithm to quantify the MEPs based on several parameters, including motor threshold, latency, area-under-the-curve, peak-to-peak amplitude, and duration. The reliability of this method was tested by having multiple observers analyze the MEP recordings and comparing their results. The study found that the method was feasible and reliable for assessing neuromotor function in neonatal lambs.

• 1
  MEPs could be easily recorded in neonatal lambs using transcranial motor cortex stimulation.
• 2
  A custom-made algorithm was developed for quantitative analysis of MEPs, allowing for physiologic readings of parameters such as motor threshold, latency, area-under-the-curve, peak-to-peak amplitude, and duration.
• 3
  The MEP recording and analysis method demonstrated high intra- and inter-observer reliability (≥70%) for latency, area-under-the-curve, and peak-to-peak amplitude.