Natalizumab restores evoked potential abnormalities in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of natalizumab on functional parameters assessed by evoked potentials (visual [VEP], somatosensory [SEP] and motor evoked potentials [MEP]) in a cohort study in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.


METHODS
EP data of 44 patients examined 12 months prior to natalizumab treatment, at the timepoint of treatment initiation and 1 year later were compared. Sum scores (VEP, MEP, SEP) were evaluated and correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale.


RESULTS
Improvement of the VEP sum score was found in 33% of natalizumab-treated patients but only in 9% of the same patients prior to treatment (p = 0.041). A comparable situation was found for SEP (improvement: 32% versus 5%; worsening: 11% versus 37%; p = 0.027). For MEP no significant differences were seen (improvement: 10% versus 18%; worsening: 5% versus 29%; p = 0.60). EP recordings (VEP = SEP > MEP) have the capacity to demonstrate treatment effects of natalizumab on a functional level.


CONCLUSIONS
Natalizumab therapy increases the percentage of patients showing stable or even ameliorated electrophysiological parameters in the investigated functional systems.
University of Wuerzburg, Germany. heinz.wiendl@ukmuenster.de
Sven G
SG
Meuth
Stefan
S
Bittner
Carola
C
Seiler
Kerstin
K
Göbel
Heinz
H
Wiendl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects*; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000187:drug effects; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000187:drug effects; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069442:Natalizumab