Evaluation of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) in Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive long-term, neurodegenerative disorder of central nervous system which mainly affects the motor system, caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, but also in other dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic areas of the brain and mainly in the brainstem. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response are routinely used in clinical practice to evaluate the function of the auditory nerve and auditory pathways in the brainstem. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Methods30 subjects (18 males and 12females) with Parkinson’s disease. And same number of healthy age-matched subject control group was assessed. Age of Control Group was 61.2±11.6 & of Test Group 61.7±10.4. A complete & detailed neurological examination (CNS) were performed in all individuals clinically especially of motor system to evaluate the severity of the disease for the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease. Recordings of BAERs were performed with Neurostim Plus software of Medicaid Company, using 70 dB HL in the form of rarefaction clicks were used in each ear obtain good quality BAER recording. Results. The BAER results were interpreted for the latencies and Interpeak latencies. The result of this study shows that the waves II, III, IV, V and IPL III-V were significantly delayed. Conclusion. Parkinson’s disease population showed significant differences to Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response

Study of brainstem auditory evoked response in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and among its complications neuropathies are the most common. Diabetes may alter both the central and peripheral nerve functions but the peripheral manifestations of diabetic neuropathy are more frequently discussed in the literature than the impairment of central nervous system. Objective: To study the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) in 30 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and compared to age and sex matched 30 non diabetic group. Methods: 30 Type 2 diabetics and 30 age and sex matched control group were selected and subjected to BAER. Duration of latencies, interpeak latencies and amplitudes were recorded. Results: According to BAER report, Left side latencies III , both left and right IPL III – V , right side ampliude V decreased with p > 0.05 in type 2 DM compared to control group . Conclusion: The study showed bilateral changes in BAER report in type 2 DM. This indicates use of evoked potentials like BAER helps in evaluating central neuropathy in patients with type2 DM. Earlier diagnosis of central neuropathy is recommended for proper management.

Effect of Hyperbilirubinemia on the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response in Newborn Piglets

PURPOSE: We sought to know the effect of hyperbilirubinemia on brainstem auditory evoked response in newborn piglets. METHODS: To achieve the concentration of bilirubin above 20 mg/dL, we injected a bolus of 50 mg/kg of bilirubin intravenously over 30 minutes, followed by 30-40 mg/kg/ hr of bilirubin continuous intravenous infusion to 10 newborn piglets. Brainstem auditory evoked responses were obtained from these piglets at baseline, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours and 4 hours after the exposure to hyperbilirubinemia. RESULTS: The mean amplitude of wave V was 0.33+/-0.03 microV at baseline, 0.32+/-0.04 microV at 1 hour, 0.33+/-0.05 microV at 2 hours, 0.23+/-0.04 microV at 3 hours and 0.26+/-0.05 microV at 4 hours of experiment and began to decrease after 3 hours of the exposure to hyperbilirubinemia. The latency of wave III was 4.06+/-0.08 ms at baseline, 3.95+/-0.09 ms at 1 hour, 4.05+/-0.10 ms at 2 hours, 4.05+/-0.09 ms at 3 hours, 4.12+/-0.11 ms at 4 hours of experiment and began to increase after 1 hour of the exposure to hyperbilirubinemia. CONCLUSION: Hyperbilirubinemia decreased the amplitude of wave V and increased the latency of wave III of brainstem auditory evoked responses in newborn piglets.

Comparison of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response in Normal Infants, Male and Female, Right and Left Ear

PURPOSE: Brainstem auditory evoked response(BAER) is used as screening test for hearing disorders, damages of the central nervous system and congenital anomalies. We studied the difference values according to gender and stimulation sites in normal full-term infants. METHODS: We performed BAER in 38 male and 28 female normal full-term infants, delivered in the Gil Medical Center, Gachen Medical School, from March to July 1996, aged one to seven days. Amplitude I, V, V/I and latency I, III, V and interpeak latency(IPL) I-III, III-V, I-V were measured at 90, 60, 45, 30 dB. Data were analyzed between both sex and between both ears with Student t-test. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in male and female group with the same side's stimulation. At 90 dB, amplitude I of left ear stimulation was significantly higher than right in male and female. Amplitude V/I of right ear stimulation was significantly higher than left ear stimulation in total only. At 90 dB, latency I of right was significantly longer than left in male and female. Latency III of right was longer significantly in total only. IPL I-III, I-V was significantly longer in left than right in male and total. At 60 dB intensity, all data except latency I in total, showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Interpreting BAER, stimulation site and intensity should be considered. and further studies will be needed for the evaluation of the difference between left and right ear.