Absence of rate-dependent BAEP P5 latency changes in patients with definite multiple sclerosis: possible physiological mechanisms.
Brain-stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) rate studies have been incorporated into evoked potential protocols in an attempt to identify demyelinating lesions. A group of 9 patients with clinically definite MS are described who showed abnormal BAEP P1-P5 interwave latencies at slow repetition rates and failed to demonstrate a significant enhancement of this abnormality following rapid click presentation rates. The lack of rate-dependent P5 latency changes has been hypothesized to represent a less severe form of axonal demyelination. Thus, it may be possible to subclassify or subgroup patients with evidence of brain-stem demyelination based on the presence or absence of BAEP rate-dependent abnormalities.
Jacobson
G P
GP
Department of Otolaryngology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202.
Newman
C W
CW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time