Effect of electroconvulsive shock on the slow components of the brain stem auditory evoked potential.

The effects of electroconvulsive shock on the slow components of the brain stem auditory evoked potential were investigated in the rat during the ictal and the immediate postictal periods. Shock did not significantly alter any aspect of the slow positive-negative complex which underlies the high-frequency waves of the brain stem auditory evoked potential. However, a succeeding potential of probable cortical origin was markedly reduced in amplitude and its peak latency was temporarily increased.