Background: Visual evoked potential is an essential element of the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. It is useful in the detection of asymptomatic demyelinating lesions. The aim of this study was to determine, whether VEP, apart from its diagnostic role, can also be a predictor of responsiveness to immunomodulating therapy (DMT). Material and methods: The study recruited 110 patients (35 men, 75 women, aged 18-54 years) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, subjected to an at least 2-years’ DMT treatment (IFN β-1a, IFN β-1b, GA). Results: In this group, 32 patients (29%) had a relapse during observation period. Normal baseline VEP was documented in 8 patients and an abnormal VEP – in the remaining 24. After 2-years’ treatment in the normal VEP group, disease progression was seen in 7 patients, 3 of whom had also new lesions in their MRI scans. In the abnormal VEP group, disease progression was seen in 22 patients, 12 of whom had new demyelinating lesions in their MRI scans. Conclusions: In DMT-treated group, clinical and radiological disease progression was more common in patients with abnormal baseline VEP compared with those with normal baseline VEP.

visual evoked potential (VEP), multiple sclerosis, immunomodulating therapy (DMT), magnetic resonance