Visual and somatosensory evoked cortical potentials in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The diagnostic value of the pattern reversal evoked cortical potential (VEP) and the somatosensory evoked cortical potential (SEP) has been compared in 50 patients with established or suspected multiple sclerosis. A prolonged latency of VEP was found in 96% of definite cases of multiple sclerosis, 58% of probably cases, and 20% of possible cases. A prolonged latency of SEP by stimulation of the median or peroneal nerves or both was found in 86% of definite cases of multiple sclerosis, 83% of probably cases, and 50% of possible cases. When combining the results of all three tests the diagnostic yield increased to 100%, 92% and 50%, respectively.