Functional status of auditory pathways in children with borderline intellectual functioning: evoked potential study.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether impairment of sensory conduction in the auditory pathway is one of the contributory factors of performance in children with borderline intelligence. The study was conducted on children having borderline intelligence (IQ 71-84). The functional integrity of the central auditory pathway was assessed using Auditory Evoked Responses i.e. Auditory Brainstem response (ABR), Mid Latency Response (MLR) and Slow Vertex Response (SVR). The recordings were done using a computerized evoked potential recorder by 10-20 electrode placement system. There was no significant difference in the absolute peak latencies, the interpeak latencies and amplitude of ABR in the subjects as compared to controls. There was prolongation of the latency of MLR and SVR waves in subjects though not statistically significant indicating no conduction abnormality in the auditory pathway of the study subjects. Electrophysiological methods reveal underlying immaturity or abnormal brainstem timing and may serve as reliable tool in individuals with learning difficulties.