[Experimental study on olfactory evoked potential in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE: To observe olfactory evoked potential(OEPs) produced by electrical stimulation of the olfactory mucosa and to find out an objective way to appraise olfactory function. METHOD: A bipolar stimulus electrode was placed on the olfactory mucosa of adult health rabbits via anterior naris. Olfactory evoked potential was recorded at headtop after being given a 0.5-4.0 mA current to the mucosa. And we also investigated the effect of stimulus parameters and stimulus location to the wave form of OEPs. RESULT: Triphasic negative-positive-negative evoked potentials were recorded from the surface of the frontal head close to olfactory bulb. Latent period of three waves respectively was N(1)20.6 ms, P(1)33.5 ms, N(2)58.3 ms. CONCLUSION: In general, the OEPs were composed of triphasic negative-positive-negative complexes. The waveforms were stable and could be repeated well. Each parameter was useful for estimating the olfactory function.