Auditory Potentials of Cochlear Nerve and Brain Stem in Multiple Sclerosis

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in the elderly.

“…Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) recorded from humans using surface skin electrodes were first reported by Sohmer and Feinmesser (1967) and subsequently were described in greater detail by Jewett and Williston (197 1). The extensive and growing literature that has followed these reports reflects the emerging importance of these sensory evoked potentials.…”

“…Starr (1976) has suggested use of the BAEP as an index of brain death. Demyelination diseases such as multiple sclerosis can also result in prolongation of the interwave latencies of BAEP components (Robinson & Rudge, 1975, 1977Shannon, Gold, Himmelfarb, & Carasso, 1979). The clinical usefulness of the BAEP in such cases derives from its effectiveness in distinguishing between peripheral and CNS disorders.…”

“…Even at low intensities, Wave V follows Wave I by approximately 4 msec in the healthy young ear, indicating that intensity-dependent latency shifts in Wave V are due to receptor processes and subsequent changes in Wave I latency. Simultaneous recording of the electrocochleogram, which depends on the response of the auditory nerve, and Wave I of the BAEP show that they are equally responsive to intensity of acoustic stimuli (Eggermont, Odenthal, Schmidt, et al, 1974;Sohmer & Feinmesser, 1967). The electrocochleogram is recorded by placing an electrode in the external auditory canal close to the tympanic membrane or by surgically piercing the tympanic membrane and placing an electrode directly on the promontory of the medial wall of the middle ear.…”