Visual evoked potentials and positron emission tomographic mapping of regional cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism: Can the neuronal potential generators be visualized?

doi:10.1016/0013-4694(82)90174-2

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology

Volume 54, Issue 3, September 1982, Pages 243-256

https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4694(82)90174-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and visual evoked spectrum array (VESA) to flashes and pattern-reversal were correlated with regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) or local cerebral glucose metabolism in 4 hemianopsic patients and one subject with cortical blindness. Normal VEPs, topographical distribution and occipital rCBF were noted in hemianopsic patients with macular sparing. A dissociation of topographical distribution of VEPs to flashes and pattern-reversal was demonstrated in one patient with hemianopsia and macular splitting. In this case, rCBF showed unilateral activation of visual areas 17, 18 and 19 of the cortex. The distribution of surface-recorded potentials reflected the complex interaction of electrical field potentials within at least 3 cortical areas rather than volume transmission of striate dipoles alone. VEPs were preserved in a cortically blind patient. rCBF and local cerebral glucose metabolism revealed a functioning island of occipital cortex that most likely represented the generator of the VEP.

The combination of VEP and PET permits the correlation of electrophysiological events with the visualization of cortical areas presumably activated by the same visual stimulus.

Résumé

Les potentiels évoqués visuels (PEV) et le spectre évoqué visuel (SEV) à des flashes et à des damiers ont été corrélés avec le débit sanguin cérébral local (DSCL) ou le métabolisme du glucose cérébral chez 4 patients hémianopsiques et un sujet à cécité corticale. Le PEV, la distribution topographique et le débit local ont été trouvés normaux chez des patients hémianopsiques avec épargne maculaire. Chez un patient hémianopsique avec division maculaire, la répartition des PEV aux flashes et aux damiers s'est trouvée dissociée. Dans ce cas, le débit régional a révélé une activation unilatérale des aires corticales visuelles 17, 18 et 19. La distribution des potentiels enregistrés en surface a reflété l'interaction complexe des potentiels de champs électriques pour au moins 3 aires corticales plutôt que la seule conduction en volume des dipoles striés. Les PEV étaient préservés chez le patient à cécité corticale. Le débit et le métabolisme local du glucose ont révélé l'existence d'une zone active du cortex occipital qui assez vraisemblablement représente le générateur du PEV.

La combinaison des PEV et de la tomographie à positrons permet ainsi de corréler des événements électrophysiologiques à des localisations d'aires corticales vraisemblablement activées par le même stimulus visuel.

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^☆: Supported in part by a grant from the Veterans Administration.

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Abstract

Résumé

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Brain Res.

Amer. J. Ophthal.

Brain Res. Rev.

Vision Res.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Trends Neurosci.

A paradox in the lateralization of the visual evoked response

Nature (Lond.)

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Experientia (Basel)

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Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.

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Neurology (Minneap.)

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Arch. Neurol. (Chic.)

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Arch. Neurol. (Chic.)

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Wld. med. J.

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¹³F-fluoromethane positron emission tomography to study regional blood flow in cerebral infarction