From the Guidelines
Steady state evoked potentials (SSEPs) are not a primary diagnostic tool for multiple sclerosis (MS) and contribute little to the diagnosis of MS, as stated by the International Panel on the Diagnosis of MS 1.
Role of SSEPs in Diagnosing Neurological Conditions
SSEPs are electrical signals recorded from the nervous system in response to repetitive sensory stimulation. These tests are valuable in assessing conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, including spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, and stroke.
- SSEPs provide objective measurements of neural pathway integrity.
- They are particularly useful in monitoring neurological conditions during surgical procedures involving the spine or brain.
- The technique works by delivering repetitive stimuli at a fixed frequency, creating a measurable, consistent neural response that can be analyzed for abnormalities in amplitude, latency, or waveform morphology.
Limitations of SSEPs in MS Diagnosis
According to the International Panel on the Diagnosis of MS, other types of evoked potential analysis, including SSEPs, were viewed as contributing little to the diagnosis of MS 1.
- The panel recommended the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and visual evoked potentials (VEP) as diagnostic tools for MS.
- SSEPs are not mentioned as a primary diagnostic tool for MS, highlighting their limited role in this context.
Clinical Applications of SSEPs
Despite their limited role in MS diagnosis, SSEPs remain a valuable tool in certain clinical applications, such as:
- Monitoring neural pathway integrity during surgical procedures.
- Assessing conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Providing objective measurements of neural function in patients with neurological disorders. However, in the context of MS diagnosis, the use of SSEPs is not recommended as a primary diagnostic tool, and other diagnostic methods, such as MRI and VEP, are preferred 1.
From the Research
Role of Steady State Evoked Potentials (SSEP) in Diagnosing and Monitoring Neurological Conditions
- Steady state evoked potentials (SSEP) are a type of evoked potential that can be used to assess sensory function in normal and abnormal conditions, including multiple sclerosis [ 2 ].
- The advantages of SSEP include speed, objectivity, and the ability to monitor sensory function at high suprathreshold levels [ 2 ].
- SSEP can be used to diagnose and monitor neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, where they can help to establish the diagnosis and track disease progression [ 3, 4,5 ].
- Visual evoked potentials (VEP), a type of SSEP, can be used to assess the extent of demyelination along the optic nerve and predict the extent of recovery after optic neuritis [ 6 ].
- SSEP can also be used to monitor the effects of treatment and track changes in sensory function over time [ 3, 4,5 ].
Applications of SSEP in Neurological Conditions
- Multiple sclerosis: SSEP can be used to diagnose and monitor multiple sclerosis, particularly in patients with suspected or possible MS [ 4, 5 ].
- Optic neuritis: VEP can be used to assess the extent of demyelination along the optic nerve and predict the extent of recovery after optic neuritis [ 6 ].
- Other neurological conditions: SSEP can be used to diagnose and monitor other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease [ 3 ].
Benefits of SSEP in Neurological Diagnosis and Monitoring
- Objective measurement: SSEP provides an objective measurement of sensory function, which can be useful in monitoring disease progression and treatment effects [ 2 ].
- Speed: SSEP can be used to quickly assess sensory function, which can be useful in clinical trials and epidemiological studies [ 2 ].
- Non-invasive: SSEP is a non-invasive technique, which can be useful in patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo invasive procedures [ 3 ].