From the Research
Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) show abnormalities in approximately 21.9% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), as reported in the most recent and highest quality study 1. This study, published in 2013, investigated the role of BAEPs in evaluating brainstem lesions in MS patients. The findings suggest that BAEP abnormalities are less common than other diagnostic tools, such as vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, BAEP testing remains a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting clinically silent lesions in the brainstem auditory pathways, potentially supporting MS diagnosis even when MRI findings are equivocal. The presence of BAEP abnormalities correlates with disease progression and may help in monitoring disease activity over time. Some key points to consider when interpreting BAEP results in MS patients include:
- The rate of BAEP abnormalities tends to be higher in patients with clinically definite MS and those with longer disease duration or more extensive lesion burden.
- BAEP abnormalities typically manifest as prolonged interpeak latencies, particularly between waves III-V and I-V, reflecting demyelination in the auditory pathways of the brainstem.
- BAEP testing is particularly useful in detecting subclinical involvement of the auditory system in MS, even in patients without subjective hearing complaints. It is essential to consider the results of BAEP testing in conjunction with other diagnostic tools, such as MRI and VEMP, to ensure accurate diagnosis and monitoring of MS. The study by 1 provides the most recent and highest quality evidence on this topic, and its findings should be prioritized when making clinical decisions.