Hjärnstamsevokerade

Hjärnstamsevokerade is a Swedish term that translates to "brainstem evoked potentials." This refers to neurophysiological tests used to assess the function of the brainstem, the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. These potentials are electrical responses generated by the brainstem in reaction to specific sensory stimuli, most commonly auditory or visual.

Auditory brainstem evoked potentials (ABEPs), also known as Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) or Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), are the most common type. During an ABEP test, electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes. Clicks or tones are delivered to the ears, and the electrodes record the electrical activity generated as the sound signal travels through the auditory nerve and brainstem pathways. The resulting waveform shows several distinct peaks, each representing activity at a specific point along this pathway.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are another type, used to assess the visual pathways from the eyes to the visual cortex in the brain. In a VEP test, a flashing checkerboard pattern or a flash of light is presented to the patient, and electrodes on the scalp record the brain's electrical response.

Hjärnstamsevokerade tests are valuable diagnostic tools for a variety of neurological conditions. They can help identify hearing impairments, assess the integrity of the auditory and visual pathways, and detect lesions or damage within the brainstem. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain tumors, and developmental disorders can be investigated using these evoked potentials. The timing and amplitude of the waveforms provide crucial information about the speed and strength of neural transmission.