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The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Differential patterns of memory performance in relapsing, remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Marina A Drake1, Adriana Carrá, Ricardo F Allegri
1Department of Neurology, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Perdriel 74 Buenos Aires, Argentina. drake@fibertel.com.ar
Background:
Memory dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). A retrieval failure has been reported as the primary cause for the memory deficits, although some studies also described a faulty acquisition.
Aims:
The aim of the study was to examine memory function in relapsing remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS patients, analyze the patterns of performance and to investigate whether disease course influences this performance.
Design And Settings:
Case-control prospective study conducted in a clinical setting.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty-five RR, 23 SP MS patients and 80 normal subjects were evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Memory was assessed with tasks from the Signoret memory battery. Attention and executive function were also assessed.
Statistical Analysis:
Univariate analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney U-test, multivariate logistic regression and Chi-square test were used as appropriate.
Results:
MS patients performed significantly worse than controls on almost all measures of memory (P < 0,001). MS subgroups differed in tasks of delayed recall (logical memory- P =0,019; wordlist delayed recall, P < 0,001), semantic cued recall (P < 0,001), recognition trials (P =0,006) rate of forgetting (P < 0,001) and confabulation and intrusion errors (P =0,004).
Conclusions:
Memory is consistently impaired in MS patients and disease course differentially affects the pattern of performance. SP patients show greater difficulties and a more pervasive pattern of dysfunction than RR patients. Delayed recall was the most affected memory measure and performance on this task discriminates between RR and SP MS patients. Relapsing remitting patients performed within the mildly impaired range while SP patients showed a moderate to severe impairment.
Insights
Memory problems are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Secondary progressive MS patients exhibit more severe memory deficits, particularly in delayed recall, compared to relapsing remitting MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Memory dysfunction is a prevalent symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- While retrieval failure is often cited, acquisition deficits may also contribute to MS-related memory impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate memory function in relapsing remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS patients.
- To analyze performance patterns and determine if disease course impacts memory function.
- To compare MS patients' memory performance against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control prospective study design was employed in a clinical setting.
- Fifty-five RR MS patients, 23 SP MS patients, and 80 healthy controls were assessed.
- A comprehensive neuropsychological battery, including the Signoret memory battery, attention, and executive function tasks, was utilized.
Main Results:
- MS patients demonstrated significantly poorer memory performance than controls across nearly all measures (P < 0.001).
- Significant differences were observed between MS subgroups in delayed recall, semantic cued recall, recognition, rate of forgetting, and intrusion errors.
- SP MS patients exhibited more pronounced memory deficits compared to RR MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Memory impairment is a consistent finding in multiple sclerosis.
- The disease course significantly influences the pattern and severity of memory dysfunction.
- Delayed recall is the most affected memory domain, differentiating between RR and SP MS patients, with SP patients showing moderate to severe impairment.
