Original Article

The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score: a promising tool for evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis

T. Gabelić

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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M. Krbot Skorić,

M. Krbot Skorić

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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I. Adamec,

I. Adamec

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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B. Barun,

B. Barun

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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I. Zadro,

I. Zadro

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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M. Habek,

Corresponding Author

M. Habek

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Correspondence: M. Habek, University Department of Neurology, Zagreb School of Medicine and University Hospital Center, Kišpatićeva 12, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia (tel.: +38598883323; fax: +38512376033; e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author

T. Gabelić,

T. Gabelić

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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M. Krbot Skorić,

M. Krbot Skorić

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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I. Adamec,

I. Adamec

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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B. Barun,

B. Barun

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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I. Zadro,

I. Zadro

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

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M. Habek,

Corresponding Author

M. Habek

Department of Neurology, Referral Center for Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

First published: 08 September 2014

https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.12557

Citations: 36

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Abstract

Background and purpose

Concerning the great importance of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS), the aim of this study was to explore the role of the newly developed vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score as a possible marker of brainstem involvement in MS patients.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective case−control study which included 100 MS patients divided into two groups (without and with clinical signs of brainstem involvement) and 50 healthy controls. Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) measurements were performed in all participants and analyzed for latencies, conduction block and amplitude asymmetry ratio. Based on this the VEMP score was calculated and compared with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration and magnetic resonance imaging data.

Results

Multiple sclerosis patients with clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 2) had a statistically significant higher percentage of VEMP conduction blocks compared with patients without clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 1) and healthy controls (P = 0.027 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, the VEMP score was significantly higher in group 2 compared with group 1 (P = 0.018) and correlated with EDSS and disease duration (P = 0.011 and P = 0.032, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the VEMP score has a statistically significant influence on the EDSS score (P < 0.001, R² = 0.239).

Conclusions

Interpretation of the oVEMP and cVEMP results in the form of the VEMP score enables better evaluation of brainstem involvement than either of these evoked potentials alone and correlates well with disability.

Supporting Information

References

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Volume22, Issue2

February 2015

Pages 261-e21

The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score: a promising tool for evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background and purpose

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score: a promising tool for evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background and purpose

Patients and methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

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