Correlation of cardiointervalometric and somatosensory evoked potential parameters in male and female patients with epilepsy

Somatosensory evoked potentials and cardiointervalometry can be used as additional methods of examination of patients with epilepsy. Aim: determination of relationships between functional state of the brain and stress on regulatory systems, so as to assess the adaptive potential of male and female patients with epilepsy. Materials and methods. 46 male patients (group 1) and 34 female patients (group 2) diagnosed with epilepsy participated in the study. Analyzed parameters included maximum amplitude, total area of somatosensory evoked potentials and cardio-intervalometric parameters. Results. In patients with epilepsy, there is an increase in EAP indicators that suggestive of increased neu-ronal synchronization. However, with hyperventilation physiological probe, male patients demonstrated inhibition while female patients demonstrated stimulating effect of the brain. This tendency persisted in both groups of patients after hyperventilation. Cardiointervalometric findings in female patients were consistent with vagotony, indicative of normal activity of regulatory systems and the autonomous regulation of heart rhythm. Male patients with epilepsy require significant energy in order to adapt to the load, resulting to stress of regulatory systems. Conclusion. Additional methods of examination identify features of the functional state of the brain and stress on regulatory systems in male and female patients with epilepsy. Signs of disadaptation and unfavorable course ofthe disease allow timely diagnosis and improve the quality of life ofthe patient.