[Visual evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis patients].

Cortical evoked visual potentials (EVP) generated in response to stimulation by a single light flash were examined in 26 patients with disseminated sclerosis and 11 healthy subjects. In the patients with disseminated sclerosis some changes of the EVP correlating with the gravity and duration of the disease and the degree of the ophthalmological symptoms were revealed. These changes consisted in statistically significant protraction of the latency, absence or deformity of some components, hemispheral asymmetry, and changes of the evoked response. Some of these changes were observed at early stages of the disease, when there were no vision disturbances. This makes it possible to use this method for early diagnosis of disseminated sclerosis.