Magnetic transcranial brain stimulation and multimodality evoked potentials in an adrenoleukodystrophy patient and members of his family

Abstract

In a patient with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), prolonged conduction times along the corticospinal tract and afferent sensory pathways were demonstrated using magnetic transcranial brain stimulation and multimodality evoked potentials, respectively. On investigation of two healthy family members (one an obligate carrier), slight latency increases in evoked potentials suggested impaired conduction along the respective pathways. Thus, the combined use of these methods (1) is helpful in assessing the location and extension of demyelinating lesions and (2) may raise the sensitivity in detecting subclinical involvement in patients with ALD and in carriers.