Are there other techniques besides transcranial stimulation that can be used to monitor spinal cord motor pathways?
Only the TcMEP can specifically monitor motor tracts. However, one alternative that can provide sensitive spinal cord monitoring is the descending evoked potential (DEP) to spinal cord stimulation. This technique was previously known as “neurogenic motor evoked potentials” or NMEP. That name has been discarded since it incorrectly implies a specific motor recording. DEPs involve rostral stimulation of the spinal cord with recording of a caudal neurogenic response from either the spinal cord or peripheral nerve, or a myogenic response recorded from a distal muscle. These responses can be mediated primarily by sensory pathways and therefore are not true motor potentials. Nevertheless, they have been proven to be sensitive to spinal cord changes, and may be useful for cases in which TcMEPs cannot be obtained. If you have other questions about Biotronic, the modalities or monitoring services we offer, or would like our neural monitoring technologists to monitor a procedure at your hospital
