Visual Evoked Potential (VEP)--dependable marker for CNS affection in thyroid diseases.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Endocrinology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent and can affect multiple organ systems.
• Visual evoked potentials (VEP) assess the integrity of the visual pathway.
• Alterations in VEP may indicate neurological complications of thyroid disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of thyroid dysfunction on the P100 component of VEP.
• To compare VEP parameters between patients with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, probable thyroiditis, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• VEP recordings were performed on 89 patients with thyroid dysfunction and 43 controls.
• Measurements included P100 latency (in m.sec) and amplitude (in microvolts).
• Statistical analysis compared VEP parameters across different thyroid status groups.

Main Results:

• Mean P100 latency was significantly prolonged in hypothyroid (110.69 m.sec), hyperthyroid (111.41 m.sec), and probable thyroiditis (109 m.sec) groups compared to controls (p < 0.005).
• Mean P100 amplitude was significantly reduced in hypothyroid (1.34 µV) and probable thyroiditis (2.41 µV) groups, but increased in hyperthyroid (6.34 µV) group compared to controls (p < 0.005).

Conclusions:

• Thyroid dysfunction is associated with significant alterations in VEP P100 latency and amplitude.
• These findings suggest subclinical visual pathway dysfunction in thyroid disorders.
• VEP may serve as a useful biomarker for assessing neurological involvement in thyroid disease.