Utility of multimodal evoked potential study and electroencephalography in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy

We performed electroencephalography (EEG) and multimodal evoked potential (EP) studies in 16 patients with various forms of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (ME). The electrophysiological investigations revealed signs of involvement of the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) in 14 patients, with a high incidence of visual-EP (VEP) alterations, indicative of visual pathway vulnerability in mitochondrial diseases. No specific pattern of abnormalities emerged and, in particular, clinical and laboratory findings did not correlate with each other. EP (particularly VEP and electroretinogram) investigations should be part of the diagnostic work-up of patients with mitochondrial disorders in order to better characterize the clinical picture, disclose involvement of specific sensory systems of the CNS, and assess patients with atypical clinical presentations.