The contribution of P300 test for cognitive evaluation in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

In this study 50 patients with the diagnosis of definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) according to the Poser criteria, and 50 healthy volunteers matched by the patients in the aspect of age, sex and duration of education were evaluated. The score was given to each MS patient by using the Expanded Disabilty Status Scale (EDSS). Endogeneous event-related potentials as a neurophysiological test and Cross Cultural Cognitive Examination (CCCE) test as a neurophsycological test have been used for the definition of cognitive performance in both the patient and the control groups. The relationships between the latency of P300 and the results of CCCE test in addition to duration of illness, EDSS score and duration of education was examined. Cognitive dysfunction was found in 25 patients (50 percent) with CCCE test. Dementia was diagnosed in eight patients (16 percent) who were mostly in Primary Progressive MS group. The mean latency of P300 was significantly longer in patients with demantia than both the control group and in the patients without demantia. There was also a significant correlation between the latency of P300 and EDSS score.