Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
07:30
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Cognitive dysfunction in patients with clinically isolated syndromes or newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis
B I Glanz1, C M Holland, S A Gauthier
1Department of Neurology, Brigam and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. bglanz@partners.org
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|July 12, 2007
Summary
Cognitive impairment is prevalent in early multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndromes. Early cognitive dysfunction may occur before significant MRI changes, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The prevalence and MRI correlates of cognitive impairment in early MS are not well understood.
- Early detection of cognitive changes is crucial for managing MS progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and patterns of cognitive impairment in patients with early MS or clinically isolated syndromes (CIS).
- To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and MRI-derived measures of disease severity in early MS.
- To explore cognitive impairment as a potential early marker of MS activity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 92 patients with CIS or MS diagnosed within 3 years were evaluated.
- Participants underwent a neurologic examination, a brief neuropsychological evaluation, and 1.5 T MRI.
- MRI measures included lesion burden and brain atrophy (e.g., T2 lesion volume, grey matter volume, brain parenchymal fraction).
Main Results:
- Nearly half (49%) of the patients exhibited impairment in at least one cognitive domain.
- No significant correlations were found between cognitive test performance and MRI measures of structural damage.
- This suggests cognitive deficits may not be directly related to visible MRI abnormalities in early disease stages.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment is common in the early stages of multiple sclerosis.
- Cognitive dysfunction may precede or occur independently of significant structural brain changes visible on MRI.
- Cognitive assessment could serve as an early indicator of disease activity in MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.