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Cognitive impairment in different MS subtypes and clinically isolated syndromes
Constantin Potagas1, Erasmia Giogkaraki, Georgios Koutsis
1Eginition Hospital, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|November 13, 2007
Summary
Cognitive impairment is prevalent across multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). While verbal learning is relatively spared in CIS, all MS patients show significant cognitive deficits compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling symptom in MS, impacting various domains.
- Understanding the specific patterns of cognitive dysfunction across different MS subtypes is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the patterns of cognitive impairment in patients with relapsing-remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS), primary progressive (PPMS) multiple sclerosis, and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS.
- To assess these patterns relative to healthy control participants within the Greek population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of patients diagnosed with RRMS (N=75), SPMS (N=29), PPMS (N=23), and CIS (N=33) were recruited.
- Healthy control participants (N=43) were included for comparison.
- Neuropsychological assessment was performed using the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRBN).
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 52.8% (excluding CIS) and 47.5% (including CIS).
- All MS patient groups demonstrated significant differences from controls across all BRBN measures.
- Patients with CIS showed a similar pattern of cognitive dysfunction, with verbal learning and memory capacity being relatively spared.
Conclusions:
- Patients across all studied multiple sclerosis subtypes exhibit a consistent pattern of cognitive impairment affecting multiple domains.
- The cognitive dysfunction pattern in CIS patients mirrors that of MS, with a notable preservation of verbal learning abilities.
- Observed differences between patient groups diminished after accounting for physical disability (EDSS).
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