Effects of grating spatial orientation on visual evoked potentials and contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis

Previous studies suggest a delay of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) depending on grating orientation. We examined a group of 14 patients with definite MS recording PVEPs to vertical and horizontal grating and analysing latency and amplitude of P60, N70 and P100 waves. We evaluated contrast sensitivity (CS) to dark and bright bars of several spatial frequencies (SF). The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of evoked responses and CS in revealing involvement of cortical structures. PVEPs to 1 degrees cycle/degree (c/d) vertical bars were abnormal in 25% for P60, in 32%;, for N70 and in 36% for P100; in 25% 36% and 42%;, respectively at 4 c/d, as regards horizontal bars at 1 c/d we found alterations of P60, N70 and P100 in 11%, 19% and 27% respectively: at 4 c/d in 19%, 27%, and 35%. CS resulted more abnormal for vertical grating, with a maximum impairment for 3.7 c/d SF. We may conclude that the use of vertical grating in clinical routine is more reliable both for PVEPs and CS testing; in addition CS can be abnormal even with normal PVEPs: this could mean an early impairment of CS and provide useful indications about a subclinical involvement of visual cortex.