title: There is still a role for the blink reflex in the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The evolution of the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) has essentially evolved to clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging. Inexpensive, quick to apply, non-invasive, quantitative and reliable neurophysiological tests are rare in daily practice and absent in clinical trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  The blink reflex was assessed in 50 patients with remitting-relapsing MS (RRMS) and 100 matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with RRMS had abnormalities in the blink reflex waves in relation to controls. If only RRMS patients were considered, these abnormalities were more pronounced in patients with longer disease duration, higher disability and for those with clinical or image lesions in the brainstem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurophysiological tests, such as the blink reflex, can be used for helping the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with RRMS, since the reflex can identify dissemination in time and in space in a clear and quantitative manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential good methods for diagnosis and follow-up of MS should be considered for clinical trials and daily practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, SP, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joseph Bruno Bidin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcia Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Jardim
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Regina Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Papais-Alvarenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, SP, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: yara@bsnet.com.br.
authors.forename: Yara Dadalti
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Fragoso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Blink reflex; Evoked potentials; Multiple sclerosis; Neurophysiology