Visually-evoked P300 and NOGO potentials as indicators of central nervous system function in patients with vibration syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed at clarifying the effects of vibration syndrome (VS) on recognition, memory, and selective attention as well as suppression of hand movement in the central nervous system (CNS).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients with VS due to previous exposure to vibration from chain-saw work (Ch) or rock drilling work (RD) and 53 age-matched controls were examined for visually evoked P300 (V-P300) and NOGO potentials (NOGO-P). The patient group was divided into two subgroups, one with VS due to Ch work (Ch group, N = 17) and the other with VS due to RD work (RD group, N = 44).

RESULTS

ANOVA of latencies of V-P300 between three groups including two subgroups by vibration tools and controls was significant (P < 0.001), with significant difference between the control and RD subgroup (P < 0.001) and between the Ch and RD subgroups (P < 0.001). ANOVA of V-P300 amplitude was also significant (P < 0.001), with significant difference between the control group and RD subgroup (P = 0.042). NOGO-P was recorded in 28 of 37 controls (75.7%). Latencies of NOGO-P among VS patients were significantly delayed compared with those of controls (P = 0.0152). The proportions of subjects with abnormal values of V-P300 and NOGO-P among VS patients and RD operators were significantly higher than those in the control.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that VS affects CNS function as represented by V-P300 and NOGO-P.