Volume : 6, Issue : 2, February - 2017

Analysis of gender based differences in pattern reversal visual evoked potentials among healthy subjects of north India

Rashmi Dave, Bhawna Bhimte, Sanjeev Kumar Shrivastava

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;Background and Objectives: Pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PRVEP) is an objective, sensitive and non-invasive neurophysiological test that can prove to be a useful clinical tool in investigating the physiology and pathophysiology of human visual system. A successful clinical application of the test, however, is not possible without the acquisition of a normative data adjusted to known confounding physiological variables.Therefore, the present study was performed on healthy individuals to investigate the effect of gender on pattern reversal VEP. Methods: PRVEP was recorded in 100 healthy adults in the age-group of 18-25 years, in which there were 50 males and 50 females. VEP was recorded with a PC based, 2 channel, RMS EMG EP mark II machine and standard silver-silver chloride disc electrodes. A VEP monitor displaying checker board was used to give the pattern reversal stimulus. Results: The study demonstrated that the latency of P100 was were significantly longer in males as compared to females. The amplitude of P100 wave was higher in females in both left and right eye as compared to males. Conclusion: Clinical interpretation of PRVEP should be based on gender matched normal subjects besides standardizing the technical parameters of the laboratory. There is a definite gender difference in VEP parameters with females showing shorter P100 latencies and higher amplitudes. This gender difference may be due to genetically determined sex differences in neuro-endocrinological systems.</p>