Newbie here and in the middle of testing so this may have already been covered somewhere in the forum but ....
How effective is an SEP(somatosensory Evoked Potential) in diagnosing MS in comparison with a VEP(visual)?I know VEP have something to do eye issues but mines an SEP so sensory thingy whatsit.Is there any difference in the accuracy of the two different types?
Are Evoked potential tests used to diagnose anything else?
Good old google is leaving me confused lol
Somatosensory Evoked Potential
Re: Somatosensory Evoked Potential
Neither test will diagnose MS.
A neurologist can diagnose MS after an examination (which may include physical tests), and seeing the results of a number of other tests.
The evoked potential tests are really a way of looking at the body's automatic response to external stimuli.
VEP presents a changing pattern to your eyes and is looking for a change in the electrical signals around the brain
SEP uses (usually) an external electrical stimulus at knee, ankle, or wrist (the favorite spots) and looks for the brain's response to a varying waveform in the input.
Neither of then has a right or wrong result per se, but a good clinician can get an idea as to what is happening.
Similarly, some clinicians will diagnose MS on the basis of an MRI alone, and others will want a lumbar puncture, and a long history of symptoms.
Don't get hung up about tests - most good clinicians have a set of tests in mind that will tell them what they want to know. The one you need to run away from, is the one who keeps calling for test after test without ever getting near a decision.
A neurologist can diagnose MS after an examination (which may include physical tests), and seeing the results of a number of other tests.
The evoked potential tests are really a way of looking at the body's automatic response to external stimuli.
VEP presents a changing pattern to your eyes and is looking for a change in the electrical signals around the brain
SEP uses (usually) an external electrical stimulus at knee, ankle, or wrist (the favorite spots) and looks for the brain's response to a varying waveform in the input.
Neither of then has a right or wrong result per se, but a good clinician can get an idea as to what is happening.
Similarly, some clinicians will diagnose MS on the basis of an MRI alone, and others will want a lumbar puncture, and a long history of symptoms.
Don't get hung up about tests - most good clinicians have a set of tests in mind that will tell them what they want to know. The one you need to run away from, is the one who keeps calling for test after test without ever getting near a decision.
Re: Somatosensory Evoked Potential
Ty my neuro wants all done but the LP it seems so hopefully a diagnosis is near, and he specialises in MS so fairly confident in his abilities ...mind you his bedside manner was awful 3 yrs ago but not this time.
Upcoming: MRI'S, nerve study test and an EVP
So essentially the two EVP's are as helpful as each other?
And yes long history of reports and symptoms in play to muddle through -he reminded me of a kid in a candy store,his eyes lit up with all my hospital reports and scan reports etc on his desk(hadn't seen me in 3 years you see so lots of new symptoms and paperwork for him
lol
Upcoming: MRI'S, nerve study test and an EVP
So essentially the two EVP's are as helpful as each other?
And yes long history of reports and symptoms in play to muddle through -he reminded me of a kid in a candy store,his eyes lit up with all my hospital reports and scan reports etc on his desk(hadn't seen me in 3 years you see so lots of new symptoms and paperwork for him
lol