What is the typical latency for somatosensory cortical potentials to upper extremity stimulation?

In the context of somatosensory cortical potentials, latency refers to the time taken for electrical activity to occur in the somatosensory cortex following stimulation of the upper extremities. A latency of around 20 msec is considered typical for these types of responses.

When an upper extremity is stimulated, sensory signals travel via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and then ascend through various pathways to reach the somatosensory cortex in the brain. The relatively quick response time of approximately 20 msec reflects the efficiency and speed with which these neural pathways transmit information. This allows for nearly immediate perception of sensory input.

Higher latency options do not accurately represent the typical physiological response time for somatosensory processing, which emphasizes the speed at which sensory information is communicated from the point of stimulation to the brain. Therefore, a latency of about 20 msec is in line with established neurological research concerning sensory processing times.