Visual evoked potentials in families with Friedreich's ataxia

Abstract

In 19 patients affected by Friedreich's ataxia, abnormalities of visual evoked potentials were recorded in 11 patients (58%). The most frequently encountered finding was a prolongation of the P 100 component latency (47%), although a reduction in the amplitude and an increase in the time interval between successive peaks was also observed. Pathological visual evoked potentials were also recorded in 18 clinically healthy members of 7 families of our patients (parents and siblings). Increased latency of the P 100 component was observed in 6 (33%).