SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS MODIFIED BY LASER-INDUCED LESIONS OF THE RAT CORTEX

The effect of focal application of laser energy on the modification of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) was studied in sensory cortica l fields of the rat. This article describes the methodological set-up for recording of SEPs and for determining location and size of the las er-induced lesion. The results show that both the size of the lesion o f the somatosensory cortex, and the suppression and time of recovery o f cortical SEPs varied depending on the laser energy dose. It remains to be analyzed by further experiments if the recovery of SEPs is due t o a transient dysfunction of the somatosensory cortex or if it reflect s cortical plasticity.