Multi-modal (visual, acoustic, cognitive) evoked potentials in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

The objective. To assess and compare the multi-modal evoked potentials (EP) (flash visual [fVEP], brainstem acoustic [BAEP] and cognitive evoked responses [CER]) parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and healthy ones.Materials and methods. There are 100 children aged 3–17 years were examined. Experimental group included 55 children with CP, diagnosed according to International cerebral palsy criteria (P. Rosenbaum et al., 2006), and mild motor deficit (levels I–II of Gross Motor Function Classification Scale), undergoing rehabilitation course. Control group was presented by 45 healthy children aged 3–17 years with no neurological signs. Registration of the fVEP, BAEP and CER and their comparative analysis with non-parametric tests was performed. Neurophysiological recording performed on EMG-VP4 system (MBN Scientific Company, Moscow, Russia).Results. Slowing of maturation and significant delaying of main EP components were observed in experimental group.Conclusion. Findings in this investigation indicate the retardation of cortical sensory processing in children with CP. Analyzing multi-modal EP may be helpful in early detecting sensory abnormalities as complications of CP.