Vestibulo-ocular reflex involvement in childhood-onset multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Audiology

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system autoimmune disease causing disability in young adults.
• Childhood-onset MS presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management.
• Vestibular system dysfunction is a potential complication of MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the vestibular system in patients with childhood-onset MS.
• To determine the impairment of the Vestibulo-ocular Reflex (VOR) using video Head Impulse Test (vHIT).
• To identify potential correlations between VOR function and symptoms like dizziness.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study comparing 20 persons with MS (pwMS) with childhood onset to 20 healthy controls.
• Utilized video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) to assess the Vestibulo-ocular Reflex (VOR) pathway.
• Analyzed VOR gains in different semicircular canals between groups.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower median VOR gains were observed in the left lateral and posterior semicircular canals of pwMS compared to controls.
• 20% of pwMS exhibited abnormal VOR gains.
• pwMS reporting dizziness had significantly lower VOR gains than those without dizziness.

Conclusions:

• The vestibulo-ocular system is affected in patients with childhood-onset MS.
• vHIT is a valuable tool for assessing VOR function in this population.
• vHIT is recommended for the follow-up of pwMS, particularly those with dizziness.