Auditory Brainstem Response

Abstract

Auditory brainstem response to auditory stimulation is a non-invasive technique used to test the functional integrity of the brainstem connections and nuclei involved with hearing This method has been used in evaluating potential early brain damage from high serum levels of unconjugated bilirubin. The concept is that small discreet brain regions such as the cochlear (eighth) nucleus is uniquely sensitive to toxic effects of unconjugated bilirubin. Since function of this nucleus and its brainstem connections can be tested without invasive techniques (see Fig. 1), it is an ideal target to determine if unconjugated bilirubin brain damage has occurred in newborn infants.