Author/Editor		Prevec, TS
Title		The role of electrophysiological methods in the evaluation of multiple sclerosis
Type		članek
Source		In: Vodušek DB, editor. Proceedings of the Symposium on multiple sclerosis with the 11th dr. Janez Faganel memorial lecture; 1995 Oct 6-7; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: University institute of clinical neurophysiology,
Publication year		1995
Volume		str. 47-61
Language		eng
Abstract		The diagnostic criteria of MS are systematically organised and well tested. The system of Poser and coworkers (1983) values the abnormality of the sensory evoked potential (SEP) just as a clinical symptom. The multimodel SEPs are used therefore in the early oligosymptomatic phase of the disease to demonstrate clinically silent affectons of the sensory system. By visual EPs, the relevant data are revealed in about 50% of cases, and by auditory brainstem EPs in about 35%. Somatosensory EPs to electrical stimulation yield relevant findings in about 25%; the use of natural mechanical stimulation is even more effective in revealing clinically silent dysfunction of the somatosensory system. Motor evoked potential (MEP) can disclose an affection of the corticospinal tract in about 50-90%. There is no need to try to demonstrate by SEPs or MEP the affection of the systems, obvious already on the clinical grounds. These principles have not been changed when MRI was broadly introduced in the clinical practice. MRI can demonstrate numerous clinically silent white matter lesions. However, neither SEPs, MEP nor MRI changes are specific for MS, therefore all these methods are complementary. They are all used to fulfil the essential criterion of the dissemination of the lesions. SEPs and MEP demonstrate dissemination in space like MRI. In addition, SEPs and MEP are also convenient to demonstrate the dissemination in time when used along with the clinical data. Abnormalities of event related potentials (mainly P300) can also demonstrate the degree of progress of demyelinating process like repeated MRI studies.
Descriptors		MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS EVOKED POTENTIALS EVOKED POTENTIALS, VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS, AUDITORY, BRAIN STEM EVOKED POTENTIALS, SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS, MOTOR