Slow tremor and delayed brainstem auditory evoked responses in alcoholics

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Audiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Chronic cerebellar ataxia and slow rhythmic tremor are observed in some patients, often linked to alcoholism.
• Auditory brainstem evoked electric response (ABR) is a neurophysiological test assessing the integrity of the auditory pathway.
• Alcohol abuse can lead to various neurological deficits, including cerebellar dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate auditory brainstem response (ABR) interpeak intervals in patients with cerebellar ataxia and tremor.
• To determine if ABR abnormalities correlate with the observed neurological symptoms.
• To explore the potential of ABR as an objective marker for central nervous system (CNS) lesions in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• Auditory brainstem evoked electric response (ABR) interpeak intervals were measured in 13 patients.
• Patients exhibited characteristic slow rhythmic tremor and chronic cerebellar ataxia, with 11 being advanced alcoholics.
• Clinical examination included assessment of tremor in specific postures.

Main Results:

• Ten out of thirteen patients showed a significant increase in the I-V interval of the ABR.
• The tremor was primarily located in the legs and had distinctive postural features.
• Abnormal ABR findings were observed in patients with both severe and less severe alcoholism.

Conclusions:

• Increased I-V interval in ABR may be an objective indicator of neurological dysfunction.
• Abnormalities in auditory brainstem responses suggest lesions affecting extracerebellar regions of the CNS.
• ABR testing could aid in diagnosing and localizing CNS damage in patients with alcoholic cerebellar ataxia and tremor.