Serial evoked potential studies and MRI imaging in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis

Measurements of serial evoked potential latencies and plaque burden on MRI scans are often obtained during clinical studies of multiple sclerosis pati ents to provide additional information to the disability-based primary endp oints. The ideal laboratory-based marker of progression would be expected t o significantly change over the time period of study. Serial visual (VEP) a nd brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and MRI scans of 11 chronic progressive MS patients were obtained over a 1.5 year period in a clinical study. Over this period, there was no significant change in disability as m easured by the Kurtzke EDSS, Ambulation Index or Neurological Rating Score. The VEP P100 significantly progressed over the period of study. However, t he MRI T-2 plaque burden and BAEP I-V intrapeak latency did not significant ly progress over the 1.5 years. We conclude that, in chronic progressive MS , serial visual evoked potential tests may complement standard disability-b ased endpoints to assess disease progression. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.