Abstract
We tested the possible occurrence of a neurological insult secondary to high-frequency sound exposure. Immersed, anesthetized rats were subjected to a simulated diving profile designed to induce decompression sickness, while exposed to the transmission of an acoustic beacon. Intermittent sound at a pressure level of 184.5 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m (1.7 kPa), a frequency of 37 kHz, and with a duration of 4 ms, was transmitted in a duty cycle of 0.26%. Four groups, each containing nine animals, were included in the study as follows: group 1, immersion only, no sound exposure; group 2, immersion with sound exposure; group 3, diving simulation when immersed, no sound exposure; group 4, diving simulation when immersed, with sound exposure. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded the day before the study, and a second recording was made 30 min after immersion. Some of the SSEP components disappeared after the dive in 3 rats from group 3 and 2 rats from group 4. SSEP components could not be identified in a significantly larger number of animals from groups 3 and 4, compared with groups 1 and 2. No differences were found in wave latency, amplitude or conduction time. Our data show that the high-frequency sound exposure employed did not contribute to the development of the neurological insult.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 119-125 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Diving
- Gas bubble
- Rectified diffusion
- Somatosensory evoked potentials
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Biophysics
- Acoustics and Ultrasonics