Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials in different types of hepatic diseases

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were studied in 69 patients with different types of hepatic diseases. BAEPs were normal in viral hepatitis, but the peak V and interpeak I-V latencies were prolonged in liver cirrhosis. Prolongation in peaks III, IV and V and interpeaks I-III, III-V and I-V were observed in both alcoholic liver disease and Wilson's disease with the latter more severely affected. The present data indicate that BAEPs may be used to study the effect of various hepatic diseases on the CNS.