The effect of pentobarbital on central somatosensory conduction time in the rat.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded from skull electrodes in the rat. Central somatosensory conduction time was estimated by subtracting the peak latency of component II which is generated from the dorsal column nuclei and medial lemniscus from that of the primary cortical response. The mean was 2.67 +/- 0.10 msec during light pentobarbital anaesthesia. SEPs recorded during moderate anaesthesia showed delays of nearly 1 msec in anterior component III from the thalamus and sensory radiation, and the subsequent cortical potentials.