Application of rapid random stimulation (RRS) to visual evoked potentials in children

The present study was performed to examine the effects of regular (1 Hz) an d modified rapid random stimulation (RRS) (6 and 12 Hz) on visual evoked po tentials (VEPs), by simultaneously recording negative waves around 100 ms, wave IV-latency, positive waves around 60 ms, wave III-latency, and amplitu des calculated from peak to peak, without causing impairment of visual acui ty, in 44 patients aged 5-17 years. The wave IV-latencies of VEPs obtained by 6 and 12 Hz RRS were easily determined, and the latencies were not signi ficantly changed compared to those obtained by previous 1 Hz regular stimul ation. On the other hand, the amplitudes decreased in a frequency-dependent manner (1 < 6 < 12 Hz). These results were found to be similar in both pre school and school children. The examination time of VEPs determined by RRS is one-tenth shorter than that of 1 Hz regular stimulation. Thus, this meth od has the benefit of shortening the examination time, which decreases fati gue and inattention of the subjects, suggesting that modified RRS is a prac tically useful method for children. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.