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Personality disorder in multiple sclerosis correlates with cognitive impairment.
R H Benedict1, R L Priore, C Miller
1Department of Neuropsychology, Hawaii State Hospital, Kaneohe, 96744, USA. defujii@hsh01.health.state.hi.us
The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show personality changes, including increased neuroticism and decreased empathy, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These changes correlate with executive control deficits, suggesting a neurogenic frontal lobe syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Clinical Neurology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Previous multiple sclerosis (MS) personality change studies used limited assessments.
- Existing methods were confounded by psychiatric symptoms, limiting accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate personality changes in MS using validated trait measures.
- To investigate the association between personality alterations and cognitive dysfunction in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 34 MS patients and 14 healthy controls with full neurologic and neuropsychologic evaluations.
- Administered self and informant reports using the Hogan Empathy Scale and NEO Personality Inventory.
- Utilized three executive control-focused neuropsychological tests.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited elevated neuroticism and reduced empathy, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.
- Significant discrepancies between patient and informant personality reports were noted in MS patients.
- Executive control deficits predicted observed personality abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- MS is associated with distinct personality changes, including neuroticism and reduced agreeableness.
- Personality changes in MS are linked to cognitive dysfunction, particularly executive control.
- Findings suggest a neurogenic, frontal lobe syndrome contributing to personality alterations in MS.