Steady-state evoked potentials to tag specific components of nociceptive cortical processing

► Intraepidermal stimulation of Aδ-fibers can be used to elicit nociceptive SSEPs. ► Transcutaneous stimulation of Aβ-fibers can be used to elicit tactile SSEPs. ► At 3Hz, nociceptive & tactile SSEPs originate from the same neuronal populations. ► At > 3 Hz, nociceptive & tactile SSEPs originate from distinct neuronal populations. ► At > 3 Hz, the lack of habituation indicates exogenous stages of sensory processing.