Study of visual evoked potential and auditory evoked potential in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

Objective:To investigate the status and clinical application of visual evoked potential (VEP) and auditory evoked potential (AEP)in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method:There were 58 patients with PTSD and 52 normal controls entered into this study,VEP,AEP,symptom check list-90 (SCL-90) and impact of event scaled (IES) were recorded in every subject.The patients with PTSD were followed up with the same markers after 3 5 months treatment. Results:Compared with the control group,the patients with PTSD showed decreased amplitudes (P 2/VEP from Cz,P 3/VEP from Pz,P 2/AEP from Cz),increased amplitude (P 3/AEP from Cz) and longer latency (P 2/AEP from Pz),and higher scores of SCL-90 and IES.The variation of VEP,AEP,SCL-90 and IES changed into normal range after treatment.The changes of VEP and AEP were significantly related to the alleviation of mental symptoms after treatment. Conclusion:It is demonstrated that the features of VEP and AEP in patients with PTSD may be correlated with the improvement of mental symptoms, and deserved further studying.