Monitoring demyelination in multiple sclerosis with multi-flash campimetry.

Multi-flash campimetry is a computer-implemented psychophysical technique that allows a rapid and extensive assessment of visual flicker sensitivity. Multi-flash field maps generated from the data typically reveal the presence of 'islands' of degraded temporal resolution in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but not in normal control observers. These distinct 'islands' presumably reflect the influence of demyelination as well as a variety of other possible transient factors, such as edema and inflammation of the optic nerve. The question addressed in the present study concerned a means of distinguishing among such influences. The strategy employed was to test MS patients more than once over a period of several months. Under the assumption that there is little or no significant remyelination in the central nervous system, it was argued that 'islands' that remain present over time should be those that principally reflect demyelination. Transient changes that appear in the fields of MS patients probably reflect the influence of other mediating factors. Examples of multi-flash field maps are presented to illustrate this point and to serve as an initial assessment of the reliability of the technique. It is concluded that multi-flash campimetry may prove to be an effective aid in documenting the degree of progressive visual involvement in MS, and provide a means of monitoring the clinical course of demyelination in the visual system.