Evoked potentials and CSF-immunoglobulins in MS: relationship to disease duration, disability, and functional status

In 100 MS patients, BAEP and tibial SEP abnormality rates increased significantly with disease duration and clinical disability. VEP correlated non-linearly with disease duration, and median nerve SEP correlated with disability. In multifactorial analysis, however, BAEP correlated significantly only with clinical brainstem and cerebellar signs. These results suggest that evoked potentials correlate more strongly with neurological status of the functional subsystems than either overall disability or disease duration. These findings indirectly suggest that evoked potentials may be useful monitors during large therapeutical trials in MS patients.