Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

Abstract

Ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) is a short latency excitatory biphasic potential. This potential is generated within the utricle and travels along the utriculo-ocular pathway to be recorded from electrodes placed below the eyes. A major pre-requisite to the successful recording of this predominantly contralateral response is upward gazing; however, several other stimuli, acquisition and subject-related parameters can also be pivotal to obtaining oVEMP. This chapter describes the core concepts of the oVEMP pathway, the experiments that led to a decision about the generators and muscle involved in its recording, and the characteristics of the oVEMP responses from normal healthy subjects. This chapter also delineates the stimulus and acquisition-related factors affecting oVEMP, using which a clinician can decide an appropriate protocol for its recording.