Electrophysiological studies in spinocerebellar ataxia type ... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
A statistical approach
Kumagai, Rumi1,2; Kaseda, Yumiko1; Kawakami, Hideshi1; Nakamura, Shigenobu1
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, 1-2-3 Kasumi Minamiku, Hiroshima, Japan
2Corresponding Author: Rumi Kumagai
Received 22 December 1999; accepted 21 January 2000
Abstract
In spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), the cerebellum is predominantly affected, but several electrophysiological studies have revealed subclinical disorders other than cerebellar lesions. We conducted statistical analyses by comparing SCA6 patients and age-matched normal controls to assess whether electrophysiological abnormalities are directly associated with SCA6 because late onset of SCA6 may involve senile changes. We performed brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), visual evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials and nerve conduction studies in 10 SCA6 patients. The BAEP latencies of wave I was prolonged and compound muscle action potentials of peroneal nerve and sensory nerve action potentials of sural nerve reduced in SCA6 patients. Our results suggest an existence of peripheral impairment in the auditory pathway and axonal neuropathy in SCA6.
© 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.