Auditory evoked potentials and multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease that can affect several areas of the central nervous system. Damage along the auditory pathway can alter its integrity significantly. Therefore, it is important to investigate the auditory pathway, from the brainstem to the cortex, in individuals with MS.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize auditory evoked potentials in adults with MS of the remittent-recurrent type.


METHODS
The study comprised 25 individuals with MS, between 25 and 55 years, and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (research and control groups). Subjects underwent audiological and electrophysiological evaluations.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the results of the auditory brainstem response and the latency of the Na and P300 waves.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with MS present abnormalities in auditory evoked potentials indicating dysfunction of different regions of the central auditory nervous system.
Matas
Carla Gentile
CG
Speech Pathology and Audiology Course, FMUSP. cgmatas@usp.br
Matas
Sandro Luiz de Andrade
SL
Oliveira
Caroline Rondina Salzano de
CR
Gonçalves
Isabela Crivellaro
IC
D000328:Adult; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000502:physiology*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D055815:Young Adult