Somatosensory evoked potentials in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are rare antibody-mediated disorders of the central nervous system with a predilection for the spinal cord and optic nerves. OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to evaluate the dorsolemniscal system using the somatosensory evoked potential, specifically the registration of the N20 and P40 waves. METHODS: The Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were prospectively performed in 13 patients with NMOSD. All the patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a demyelinating diseases center from Southern Brazil. RESULTS: We evaluated 12 female with mean age of 42 years-old and one man of 25 years-old. When categorized in relation to the variable SSEP (Normal vs. Abnormal), there was a statistical difference in relation to N20, N21 and P40 latencies. CONCLUSION: SSEP showed a significant increase in N20 and P40 latencies. SSEP is a non-invasive, painless, fast and low-cost exam which provides neurophysiological data for diagnosis of NMOSD.