Electrophysiologic features of abetalipoproteinemia: functional consequences of vitamin E deficiency

We performed electrophysiologic testing in 10 patients with abetalipoproteinemia (ABL). Peripheral nerve studies implied an axonal disorder. Visual evoked potentials demonstrated prolonged P100 latency in three patients and abnormal electroretinograms in six. Somatosensory evoked potentials indicated dorsal column dysfunction in eight patients. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials were normal. Findings were consistent with the known neuropathology of ABL and of experimental vitamin E deficiency. Stabilization or improvement in electrophysiologic findings occurred with vitamin E supplementation. Neurophysiologic tests document retinal, central somatosensory and peripheral nerve lesions in vitamin E deficiency and provide an objective indication of response to treatment.