P300 in peripheral neuropathy: cognitive functions assessment and gender effect

Background Patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) have subtle central pathology that might contribute to cognitive impairment. P300 is a cognitive potential that is connected to both sensory and cognitive processes. Subjects with neurocognitive disorders have considerably longer P300 latency. This study aims to investigate P300's potential as a marker of early-stage cognitive deterioration in PN patients and also, the effect of gender on P300 in patients with PN. Results A study group of 60 subjects with PN of various etiologies and no other neurological conditions was included, in addition to, a control group of 40 volunteers with normal hearing sensitivity and no central or peripheral auditory neurological abnormalities. P300 response showed significant delayed latencies in study group when compared to control group. Male group had significant delayed P300 latencies in comparison to female group. As regard P300 amplitude, male group showed no statistically significant differences in comparison to female group. Conclusions Although patients with PN apparently have normal cognitive function, the results in this study revealed the possibility of subtle cognitive impairment. Cognitive functions are affected in both axonal PN and demyelinating PN, however there were no differences found between the two subgroups. Auditory evoked potentials, particularly P300 can be used easily for early detection of subclinical cognitive impairment before appearance of any neurological manifestations. P300 latencies are more important than amplitudes and may be used alone or in addition to amplitudes in cognitive function assessment.