[Intelligence, memory and event-related potentials in patients with multiple sclerosis]

To learn the characteristics of cognitive disturbance of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We divided 55 patients with MS into two groups and 71 normal subjects were tested with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Clinical Memory Scale and Eventrelated potentials (ERP). Disturbances of intelligence and memory occurred along the course of MS at various degrees. The memory quotient (MQ), full intelligence quotient (FIQ), verbal quotient (VIQ) and proce-ssing quotient (PIQ) of patients with the intelligence quotient (IQ) less than 80 scores were 76%, 32%, 24% and 70% respectively (P < 0.01). The scores of MQ, FIQ and VIQ in patients with MS of cerebral type or cerebro-spine type was lower than those of the spine type (P < 0.005). The score of patients with MS in active stage was less than that of MS in inactive stage (P < 0.001). The intelligence disturbances of MS patients were usually characterized by subcortical dementia and showed slight or moderate degree by DSM-III criteria. In patients of chronic active type, it may be characterized either by cortical dementia or subcortical dementia and showed moderate or severe degree. MS2 patient had significantly prolonged N2 and P300 latencies difference as well as low P300 amplitude compared with controls (P < 0.001). The disterbance of intelligence and memory with MS shows the important implication for the course of MS and the therapeutic effect as well as the prognosis.