Electrophysiological. neuropsychological and clinical findings in multiplesclerosis patients receiving interferon beta-1b: A 1-year follow-up

We assessed serial event-related potentials (ERPs) as well as neuropsycholo gical and clinical test findings in a group of multiple sclerosis (MS) pati ents (n = 14) treated with interferon beta -1b (INF-beta -1b) compared to n ormal controls (n = 14). All investigations were done within 1 week before INF-beta -1b therapy was started and 12 months later. An auditory oddball p aradigm was employed. No significant differences in the N100, P200, N200 or P300 latencies between patients and control group were found, but 3 out of 14 MS patients developed abnormal P300 latencies (more than 2 standard err ors from the mean) after 1 year of INF-beta -1b therapy. This was not refle cted by the respective neurological impairment as assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale score. ERPs might be a useful tool in clinical stud ies in order to evaluate drug effects on cognition, but for a final stateme nt, the analysis of ERPs in a larger group of patients is required. Copyrig ht (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.