Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
08:11
Measuring Progressive Neurological Disability in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: November 14, 2016
[Neuropsychology of primary progressive multiple sclerosis]
R A Paes1, R M P Alvarenga, C C F Vasconcelos
1Universidad Federal del Estado de Río de Janeiro (UniRio), Hospital Universitario Gaffrée e Guinle, Río de Janeiro, Brasil. renataa.paes@globo.com
Revista De Neurologia
|September 24, 2009
Summary
Fifty percent of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) experience cognitive impairment, particularly affecting memory and processing speed. Further research is needed to understand this common symptom.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
Context:
- Cognitive impairment is a known symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Prevalence and specific types of cognitive deficits in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) remain debated.
- Understanding cognitive function in PPMS is crucial for patient care and management.
Purpose:
- To determine the frequency of cognitive impairment in Brazilian PPMS patients.
- To identify specific cognitive domains affected in PPMS.
- To assess the relationship between cognitive impairment and mood disorders in PPMS.
Summary:
- Fifty percent of evaluated PPMS patients met criteria for cognitive impairment.
- Recent memory, verbal fluency, and information processing speed were the most frequently affected cognitive functions.
- While depression was more prevalent in PPMS patients, it did not correlate with cognitive impairment.
Impact:
- Confirms significant cognitive impairment in PPMS patients.
- Highlights the need for targeted neuropsychological assessments in PPMS.
- Suggests further investigation with larger cohorts to validate findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
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...
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting movement, with additional non-motor features. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and cellular dysfunction, including dopaminergic neuron loss, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial impairment.Selective NeurodegenerationA key feature is the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduced...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...