Back to Search Start Over

Clinical correlations of motor and somatosensory evoked potentials in neuromyelitis optica.

Authors :
Wei-Chia Tsao
Rong-Kuo Lyu
Long-Sun Ro
Ming-Fen Lao
Chiung-Mei Chen
Yih-Ru Wu
Chin-Chang Huang
Hong-Shiu Chang
Hung-Chao Kuo
Chun-Che Chu
Kuo-Hsuan Chang
Source :
PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 11, p e113631 (2014)
Publication Year :
2014
Publisher :
Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2014.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials (MEPs and SSEPs) are sensitive tools for detecting subclinical lesions, assessing disease severity, and determining the prognosis for outcomes of patients with inflammatory neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. However, their roles in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a severe inflammatory neurological disease that predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord, have not yet been clarified. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Clinical symptoms and examination findings at relapses of 30 NMO patients were retrospectively reviewed. Abnormal MEPs were observed in 69.2% of patients. Patients with abnormal motor central conduction time (CCT) of the lower limbs had higher Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores than those with normal responses (P = 0.027). Abnormal SSEPs were found in 69.0% of patients. Patients with abnormal lower limb sensory CCT had higher EDSS scores than those with normal responses (P = 0.019). In 28 patients followed up more than 6 months, only one of 11 patients (9.1%) with normal SSEPs of the lower limbs had new relapses within 6 months, whereas 8 of 17 patients (47.1%, P = 0.049) with abnormal SSEPs of the lower limbs had new relapses. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate MEPs and SSEPs of the lower limbs are good indicators for the disability status at relapses of NMO. Lower limb SSEPs may be a good tool for reflecting the frequency of relapses of NMO.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19326203
Volume :
9
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
PLoS ONE
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fe96eed842caab3ececfeb232173
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113631