Electrodiagnostic evaluation of peripheral nervous system changes in patients with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Growing evidence suggests multiple sclerosis (MS) may impact the peripheral nervous system.
• Peripheral nerve involvement in MS requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess peripheral sensory and motor nerve function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To evaluate nerve conduction velocity, amplitude, latency, Hoffmann reflex (H-Reflex), and F-Waves in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Nerve conduction velocity tests were performed on 75 patients with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS.
• Measurements included amplitude, latency, conduction velocity, H-Reflex, and F-Waves for various motor and sensory nerves.

Main Results:

• MS patients exhibited reduced amplitude in several motor nerves (tibial, proneal, median) and sensory nerves (ulnar).
• Prolonged H-reflex latencies were observed in the lower limbs of MS patients.
• No significant differences were found in mean motor conduction velocity or F-wave conduction compared to the normal population.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral motor nerve abnormalities, particularly reduced motor nerve amplitude, are suggested in MS patients.
• Nerve conduction velocity parameters for sensory nerves did not show significant differences between MS patients and the normal population.