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Brainstem auditory evoked responses in 200 patients with multiple sclerosis
Annals of Neurology
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) can detect central nervous system lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This diagnostic tool aids in identifying unsuspected lesions and monitoring disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system demyelinating disease.
- Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) assess auditory pathway function.
- BAERs may reveal subclinical neurological deficits in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of BAERs in diagnosing and managing MS.
- To determine the prevalence of BAER abnormalities in MS patients.
- To assess the role of BAERs in detecting unsuspected lesions.
Main Methods:
- BAERs were recorded from 202 patients with varying degrees of MS.
- Abnormalities were defined by interwave latencies and wave I/V amplitude ratios.
- Monaural stimulation was employed, and click rates varied.
Main Results:
- 32% of MS patients exhibited abnormal BAERs.
- 7.4% of patients had BAER abnormalities indicating unsuspected lesions.
- Abnormalities were noted in 35% with nystagmus and 53% with internuclear ophthalmoplegia.
Conclusions:
- BAERs are valuable for confirming central lesions in suspected MS brainstem involvement.
- BAERs can document clinically unsuspected lesions in MS.
- BAERs can aid in monitoring MS progression and treatment effectiveness.