Multifocal visual evoked potentials in optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis: A review

Gorm Pihl-Jensen*, Mathias Falck Schmidt, Jette Lautrup Frederiksen

*Corresponding author for this work
21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multifocal visual evoked potential (mf-VEP) represents a new approach to the classical full field (ff-)VEP with separate responses from up to 60 sectors of the visual field. A thorough literature survey of the use of mf-VEP in optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS) is presented (38 published studies were retrieved). Mf-VEP provides direct topographical information of specific lesions and facilitates investigations on structural-functional correlations thus providing new methods for exploring the interplay between demyelination, atrophy and remyelination in MS. Good correlation was shown between mf-VEP and OCT, ff-VEP, MRI (MTR, DTI), 30-2 standard automated perimetry and low-contrast-visual acuity. All but one study showed superior sensitivity and specificity compared to ff-VEP, especially with regards to small, peripheral lesions or lesions of the upper visual field. Mf-VEP has shown superior sensitivity and specificity than established methods in diagnosing optic nerve lesions and tracking functional recovery following lesions. Abnormal mf-VEP responses in the fellow, non-ON afflicted eye may predict MS risk in ON patients. No standardization currently exists and no direct comparisons in ON and MS between at least 5 different commercially available mf-VEP systems have so far been published. Despite these limitations, mf-VEP is a promising new tool of diagnostic and prognostic value of mf-VEP in ON and MS.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical Neurophysiology
Volume128
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)1234-1245
Number of pages12
ISSN1388-2457
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2017

Keywords

  • Clinical neurophysiology
  • Multifocal visual evoked potentials
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Optic neuritis

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