[Latency of transient and steady state potentials evoked by pattern reversal stimulation. Investigation of patients with retrobulbar neuritis].

The latencies of transient potential (TP) and steady state potentials (SSP) were compared in patients with definite or probable retrobulbar neuritis and in normal controls. TP show different components whereas SSP being simple sinusoidal responses. Only the comparison of the responses elicited by stimulation with different frequencies may allow for measurement of SSP latencies. For this comparison we used a new method based upon a model suggested by Diamond (4). It was modified for clinical application. Its principles are described in detail. For its clinical application two aspects were of special interest: 1. modification of the supposed model because of impaired conduction in the demyelinated optic nerve and 2. additional information by SSP in cases of probable retrobulbar neuritis if an altered TP configuration prevents latency measurements.