Power spectral analysis of auditory brainstem responses and MRI findings in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.
Power spectrum analysis of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were obtained from 14 patients, 9 with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA; Dejerine-Thomas type) and 5 with Holmes-type cerebello-olivary degeneration, and compared to data from normal controls. The power spectrum was divided into three components according to frequency: up to 400 Hz (slow component); from 400 to 800 Hz (middle component); and 800 to 3,000 Hz (fast component). In patients with OPCA, the slow component appeared significantly less often than in both groups, normal controls (p < 0.0005) and patients with Holmes-type degeneration (p < 0.005), and the middle component appeared significantly more often than in both groups (p < 0.0005). There was a significant positive correlation between the proportion of the slow component and midbrain diameter (p = 0.04) and a significant negative correlation between the proportion of the fast component and midbrain diameter (p = 0.02). We conclude that the power spectrum differs between OPCA and Holmes-type degeneration, and that the proportion of each component of the power spectrum is related to midbrain volume.
Hayashi
R
R
Department of Medicine (Neurology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan. ryoichi@gipac.shinshu-u.ac.jp
Tokutake
T
T
Hanyu
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*