Somatosensory evoked potentials in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

INTRODUCTION

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are rare antibody-mediated disorders of the central nervous system with a predilection for the spinal cord and optic nerves.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective is to evaluate the dorsolemniscal system using the somatosensory evoked potential, specifically the registration of the N20 and P40 waves.

METHODS

The Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were prospectively performed in 13 patients with NMOSD. All the patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a demyelinating diseases center from Southern Brazil.

RESULTS

We evaluated 12 female with mean age of 42 years-old and one man of 25 years-old. When categorized in relation to the variable SSEP (Normal vs. Abnormal), there was a statistical difference in relation to N20, N21 and P40 latencies.

CONCLUSION

SSEP showed a significant increase in N20 and P40 latencies. SSEP is a non-invasive, painless, fast and low-cost exam which provides neurophysiological data for diagnosis of NMOSD.