Auditory evoked potentials in childhood demyelinating diseases

Abstract

In children, an acute demyelinating disease may evolve as a multiphasic disease with multiple relapses, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and optic neuromyelitis (ONM). Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) is a short latency potential that allows the neurophysiological analysis of the auditory pathway, from the inner ear to the upper brainstem. Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP) reflect the neuroelectric activity of the auditory pathway in the thalamus and auditory cortex regions, structures responsible for discrimination, integration and attention functions, providing information about the Central Auditory Nervous System (CANS). Therefore, BAEP and LLAEP contribute to the identification of retrocochlear alterations or other changes in the CANS. OBJECTIVE: to characterize BAEP and LLAEP in children and adolescents with MS and ONM, and to verify the diagnostic values of these potentials in each of the demyelinating diseases. METHODS: The study group will consist of two study groups (GE1 - multiple sclerosis, GE2 - optic neuromyelitis) and two comparison groups (GC1 and GC2), matched by age and gender (age range 9 to 18 years 11 months). Basic audiological evaluation and electrophysiological assessment of hearing will be performed through the BAEP and LLAEP. The results obtained in the individuals of GE1 and GE2 will be compared among themselves and with the data obtained in the individuals with typical development (GC1 and GC2). (AU)