Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Neurocognitive sequelae in African American and Caucasian children with multiple sclerosis
K A Ross1, D C Schwebel, J Rinker
1Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. kross3@uab.edu
Insights
African American pediatric multiple sclerosis patients showed worse language and complex attention performance compared to Caucasian patients. Further research is needed to develop interventions for cognitive decline in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) affects individuals under 18.
- Understanding neurocognitive differences in POMS is crucial for effective management.
- Ethnic variations in disease impact are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate domain-specific neurocognitive performance differences between African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) patients with POMS.
- To identify potential disparities in cognitive function related to ethnicity in this population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery assessed all major cognitive domains.
- Point-biserial correlations were used to analyze ethnicity and test performance.
- Hierarchical multiple regression controlled for clinical and demographic factors.
Main Results:
- Forty-two POMS patients (20 AA, 22 CA) were evaluated.
- Cohorts showed no significant differences in age, gender, disease duration, or disability.
- AA patients performed significantly worse on language (p < 0.001) and complex attention (p < 0.01) measures.
Conclusions:
- AA patients with POMS may face a higher risk of adverse cognitive outcomes in language and complex attention.
- Longitudinal studies are essential to track cognitive changes and inform intervention strategies.
- Targeted interventions are needed to preserve cognitive function in POMS patients.
Objective:
To examine domain-specific neurocognitive differences between African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS).
Methods:
An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests was given to each subject, including tests in all major domains of cognitive function. Point-biserial correlations between ethnicity and test performance were computed. Significant correlations were followed up with hierarchical multiple regression analysis, accounting for clinical and demographic variables before examining ethnic differences.
Results:
Forty-two patients with POMS including 20 AA and 22 CA subjects were assessed. The cohorts did not differ in age, gender, socioeconomic status, disease duration, disability score, immunoglobulin G index, or number of relapses in the first 2 years of disease. Retaining some of these variables as covariates in the hierarchical regression analysis, the AA cohort performed worse on measures of language (p < 0.001) and complex attention (p < 0.01) than their CA peers.
Conclusion:
AA patients with POMS may be at higher risk for adverse cognitive impact in the areas of language and complex attention. Longitudinal characterization of cognitive pathology is critical for the development of effective intervention strategies to prolong cognitive functioning in POMS cohorts.
