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Abstract

Background:
Clinical trials have shown the therapeutic effect of fingolimod in reducing disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), but its influence on nervous conduction assessed by evoked potentials (EPs) has not been previously investigated.

Methods:
EP data of 20 patients examined 12 months prior to initiation of fingolimod (t = − 1), at treatment initiation (t = 0) and 1 year later (t = + 1) were compared. Each EP (VEP, MEP, SEP) and EP sum score, a global evoked potential score as the sum score of the each EP score was evaluated and correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Results:
During pre-treatment period (1 year) EDSS worsened while one year after fingolimod treatment EDSS remained stable. From t − 1 to t0 VEP, SEP, MEP and EP sum score worsened while from t0 to t + 1 VEP, SEP and EP sum score improved, and MEP score remain stable. VEP and SEP were related to EDSS at baseline (t = − 1), while MEP and total EP sum score were related to EDSS at all time points.

Conclusion:
Fingolimod is able to improve visual and somatosensory evoked potential in RR-MS patients even if clinical disability scale remains stable. VEP and SEP could give eloquent information on pathway underweighted in EDSS. EPs are useful to evaluate fingolimod effects in clinical practice.

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