The potential of visual evoked potentials latency and amplitude to be a subclinical predictor of clinical prognosis in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by focal demyelinating lesions, axonal dysfunction/degeneration, and gliosis, which can lead to various clinical disabilities. Visual evoked potentials (VEP) is sensitive and repeatable techniques capable of monitoring significant short-term changes in neuroaxonal integrity and alterations in nerve conduction triggered by acute optic neuritis.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate whether VEP latency and amplitude could serve as subclinical predictors of clinical outcomes in MS patients over short-term follow-ups.

Methods: This study was planned to include MS patients diagnosed according to the McDonald Criteria 18 who did not have any psychiatric, neurological, or ocular disorders that could interfere with the main purpose. The VEP test was performed for routine evaluation of demyelination or axonal damage.

Results: A total of 83 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 33.6 ± 9.3 years. Of all the patients, 54 were female (65.1%) and 29 were male (34.9%). Right pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PVEP) P100 (OR for PVEP1: 0.802, p = 0.001; OR for PVEP2: 0.879, p = 0.002) was statistically significant in showing right VEP abnormality at both baseline and at 6 months. Left VEP abnormalities were associated with left PVEP P100 at PVEP1 (OR: 0.852, p = 0.003) and left PVEP N75 at PVEP2 (OR: 0.935, p = 0.029).

Conclusion: VEPs have the potential to predict short-term subclinical stability or progression, making them valuable candidates for early treatment adjustments and evaluating future pharmacotherapy-supported remyelination.