Multifocal visual evoked potential latency analysis: predicting progression to multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor the difference in conversion rates to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 46 patients with optic neuritis between patients with multifocal visual evoked potential latency delay and those with normal latency.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
Metropolitan neuro-ophthalmology clinic.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with optic neuritis who did not have a diagnosis of MS on enrollment in the study.


METHODS
Conversion to MS according to the McDonald criteria.


RESULTS
Analysis revealed that only 22 subjects had multifocal visual evoked potential latency delay. Over 1 year, 36.4% of patients with optic neuritis with latency delays progressed clinically to MS compared with 0% of those with normal latencies (P = .03, chi2).


CONCLUSIONS
This may indicate that multifocal visual evoked potential latency delay can assist in predicting progression to future MS.
Fraser
Clare
C
Save Sight Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia. manuscript@clarefraser.com
Klistorner
Alexander
A
Graham
Stuart
S
Garrick
Raymond
R
Billson
Francis
F
Grigg
John
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*