Early auditory middle latency evoked potentials correlates with recovery from aphasia after stroke

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between the latency of Pa and Nb peaks of the middle latency auditory responses and the score on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, during a 6-month follow-up after stroke in the territory of the left mid cerebral artery.MethodsThe middle latency auditory potentials of 10 aphasic stroke patients were recorded within the first 3 days post-onset, at the time of hospital discharge and 2, 4 and 6 months afterwards, along with that of 30 control subjects; in patients, the evolution of aphasia was evaluated using the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination score.ResultsDuring follow-up decreasing potential latencies and increasing language scores were observed (ANCOVA, R2 0.75, p < 0.01); the Nb peak latency recorded during the first days after stroke was related to the language score difference after 6 months (Pearson, r = 0.66, p < 0.01).ConclusionsIn patients with aphasia after stroke, the auditory electrical response recorded at hospital discharge, after stroke is related to their recovery from aphasia, evaluated by the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination.SignificanceEarly middle latency auditory evoked responses may have a prognostic value in aphasic stroke patients.