Compound action potentials in the peripheral nerve induced by shock-waves.

Abstract

Projectiles hitting the human body cause shock waves spreading throughout the tissue. To verify a presumed interaction between these shockwaves and nervous tissue electrophysiological experiments have been performed showing the following results: 1. Compound action potentials (CAPs) are provoked in the peripheral nerves by the shockwaves. 2. The amplitude of the CAPs correspond to the magnitude of the shockwaves. 3. There is no electrical activity in the peripheral nerves below a certain threshold pressure. 4. "Saturation effect" is occurring beyond a certain pressure limit.