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Abstract:
Abstract: The goal of this study was to show that
chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERPs) could be used to
objective quantify the amount of electrophysiological dysfunction
associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: Participants
included 16 MS patients and 16 age and gender matched healthy
control subjects. The amplitudes and latencies from the N1, P2, and
P3 components were elicited in a single stimulus paradigm with an
inter-stimulus interval of 60 seconds using amyl acetate as the
odor stimulus and ammonia as the trigeminal stimulus. CSERPs were
recorded monopolarly from frontal (Fz), central (Cz), and parietal
(Pz) electrode sites and electro-ocular (EOG) activity was
monitored at the left eye, while subjects estimated the intensity
of the odor and trigeminal stimuli. CSERP results were compared to
a standard clinical battery of chemosensory function. Summary of
the results: The results indicate that the neuronal conduction
speed (latencies) and neuronal allocation (amplitudes) are both
delayed and reduced, respectively, in MS patients compared to
healthy controls, especially for olfactory stimuli. Conclusion:
These findings help to elucidate the utility of CSERPs in the
assessment of MS and suggest that future evaluation in other
clinical populations is warranted.
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