VEP.. what role does it play in a Dx of MS?

Confused here, can you clear this up for me? Ok, so the internet is great... BUT when several sites tell you 10 different things I get ticked. Care to enlighten me once again? You might have alread, if so, pardon the fog!

If you have an abnormal VEP, exactly what does that do in the Dx. of MS? Anything?

I know that the MRI's are used by many doc's as the rule of thumb, and a LP is used to back it up or to stand alone, correct? But, now that I DO have an abnormal VEP, does that actually point to anything...

yes, I was dx'd with Optic Neuritis is April, but other than that... as in, the BIGGER PICTURE, is a VEP used to rule in anything else?

Sigh, ok, so maybe I just need to go to bed and quit staring at this computer screen.

G'night my friends, ya'll are a wonderful bunch of people!
~Sunnytoday~

[Deb61]

Hi Sunny!  I think a VEP helped determine if you had damage in the optic nerves or MS brain lesions.  Since you had optic neuritis, the abnormal VEP probably stemmed from the fact you had damage in the optic nerves.  

I think that having had optic neuritis, it does point to a closer link with MS.  Many people with optic neuritis go on to MS.  Did you take steroids?  There's some research as helping prevent the development of MS if steroids are used early on.  

Here's an excellent web site about optic neuritis that tells you everything you want to know about optic neuritis (be sure to scroll down to see the entire page:

http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic186.htm

[Quixotic1]

The VEP is used much like the LP in the diagnosis of MS.  It is a supplemental bit of evidence.  When it is positive, it points "toward" the diagnosis of MS.  When negative, it doesn't give you much information at all about possible MS.

Neither the VEP nor the LP are required in working up a person for possible MS.  And neither test (should) can be used to make or break the diagnosis.

A person can have optic neuritis as a stand-alone problem.  When there are other neurologic symptoms, though, it is more likely to be a part of MS.  When optic neuritis ocurrs alone, even with no other suggestive symptoms, there is about a 40% chance of them developing MS within the next several years.

Does all this make sense?

Quix

[Sunnytoday]

yes... I think so. I do have optic neuritis, which was not treated with steroids becuase the doctor wanted to wait and see. After waiting a month, they took the VEP, which was positive for damage. I do have the other neurological symptoms, so this test can be used as an extra link in diagnosis, but not as a stand-alone. Correct? Sigh.

Thanks for this wonderful info, it helps me understrand again just how confusing it can be to diagnosis this, you basically have to fit the entire puzzle together perfectly. Gahhhhh!!!

Have a great morning!
~Sunnytoday~

[monotreme]

Remember to take everything with you to NYU!!!!!

Elaine

[Sunnytoday]

I will.
We are anxiously watching Hurricane Gustav... if it actaually hits here we will have a bit of a problem... Hurricane Katrina was three hours away when it touched down and yet we were out of power for a week...

so we are hoping it will not affect our plans to fly out on the 9th of Sept to NYU.
ALL PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS WELCOME!!!
~Sunnytoday~