[Evoked potentials with intrathecal and systemic corticosteroid therapy in multiple sclerosis]

46 MS-patients were treated by systemic or intrathecal administration of steroids. Before and three weeks after the beginning of the treatment, we measured the latencies of visual and somatosensory evoked potentials and examined clinically according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Only one patient showed significant changes in VEP latencies, SEP showed equivalent results before and after therapy. In contrast, in 24 out of 46 patients the clinical examination revealed a change in EDSS. As a consequence visual and somatosensory evoked potentials can not be regarded as adequate tools for short-term assessment in therapeutic trials.