SEP(体性感覚誘発電位)および脳波へのラベンダーおよびペパーミントの効果

The effects of the odor, peppermint and lavender, on the human SEP (Somatosensory Evoked Potential) were studied with 15 healthy male subjects, aged 22~39 years. EEGs containing SEPs evoked by electric stimuli were recorded, together with EEGs, from the two derivations (monopolar : C 3'→A 1+2,bipolar : C 3'→F 3'), averaging 100 responses with 1024 msec of analysis time. In each experimental session, EEGs containing SEPs were recorded before, during and 15, 30 minutes after the inhalation of air and the odor. Consecutive changes on group mean SEPs were studied. Indivisual SEPs were subjected to the component analysis, and to the statistical assessment together with EEG . The following results were obtained.
1. During and after inhalation of peppermint, the latencies of long latency components of SEPdecreased, and the peak-to-peak amplitudes of middle and long latency components decreased significantly. In EEG, α1 power % increased during inhalation and then β2 power % decreased significantly after inhalation.
2. During and after inhalation of lavender, the latencies of middle and long latency components of SEP increased, and the peak-to-peak amplitude of middle latency components increased, and that of long latency components decreased significantly. After inhalation, in EEG, δ, θand α power % increased and β2 power % decreased.
3. These findings indicate that peppermint might activate cerebral whtite matter, lavender might release the activity in thalamocortical tract, in consequence of cerebral inhibition, besides inhibitory effects of peppermint and lavender through GABA neuron system.