SEP (SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS)

SEP examines the nerve fibers that transmit the senses called deep senses and which are important in the perception of balance, especially the conduction speeds of the nerves in the spinal cord. While recording SEP, the peripheral nerves in the hands and feet are stimulated and these potentials are recorded with electrodes attached to the areas of the scalp that correspond to the hands and feet. The travel time of the recorded potentials from the point where they are stimulated to the area where they are recorded (the potential formed along the spinal cord as it moves upwards to the center related to the brain) is calculated. It helps to diagnose the patient by determining whether there is any damage related to this. If there is an effect on the sensory pathways, these potentials disappear or their travel times are delayed.

In which cases is the SEP test requested?