VISUAL (VEP) AND SOMATOSENSORY (SSEP) EVOKED-POTENTIALS IN HUNTINGTONS-CHOREA

In 13 patients suffering from Huntington''s chorea, VEP [visual evoked potential] and SSEP [somatosensory evoked potential] were investigated in comparison with 9 clinically unaffected offspring and 40 normal adults. The mean amplitude of VEP was reduced in all patients and in 4 of 9 offspring. Latencies of P100 in VEP were normal in all subjects. The late components were reduced in amplitude and rather irregular in shape. The latencies of SSEP were slightly prolonged, less marked in the early peaks and more pronounced in the later ones. The late components after 70-100 ms were often attenuated or even absent. The mean amplitude of P1/N2 was remarkably reduced. Interhemispheric asymmetries were pronounced in 3 of 9 offsprings.