Abstract

Zakaria M. Ahmed*

ABSTRACT

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Particular cognitive deficits are frequent symptoms of the disease. Studies showed that up to 65% of MS patients have deficits in memory, attention or executive functions, whereas deficits in language and orientation are very rare. Problems in cognitive performance have a significant impact on quality of life, employability and social live of the patients. A family of ERPs is described in literature such as P300 and P600 which reflect information and memory processing, attention function and linguistic comprehension. The study was carried out on fifty four subjects divided into two main groups: Group I: Included twenty normal healthy volunteers. Their ages ranged between 23 and 43. All subjects were matched for age, sex, education level with group II and free of any physical, psychiatric or neurologic impairment including hearing affection. Group II: Included thirty four patients fulfilled the Revised McDonald's criteria for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Results: No significant difference was found between male and female regarding neurophysiological tests (P300 & P600 {latencies and amplitudes}). Prolonged latency and reduced amplitude of ERPs (both P300 and P600waves) was prominent in MS patients. Prolonged latency and reduced amplitude are prominant SPMS than PPMS then RRMS subtypes. P300 wave was significantly affected than P600 in detecting cognitive decline in MS; working memory least affected one.