[Data of MRI and neuropsychological tests predict the course of typical remitting multiple sclerosis during five...

A complex study of 50 patients with active typical remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) was carried out. Neuropsychological testing using Wechsler and Stroop tests and MRI of the brain with the morphometric analysis of focal and diffusive changes were used in the study. Patients were stratified into two subgroups by the changes in the performance of neuropsychological tests. The disease course was assessed during five years. In all cases, the natural course of the disease, i.e. when patients did not receive disease modifying drugs, was analyzed. The transition to secondary progressive MS and the marked increase in MS severity on the EDSS were found in the subgroup of patients who demonstrated changes in the neuropsychological test performance. The strongest correlation was observed between EDSS scores and the diffusive atrophy of the brain white matter on MRI. The data of neuropsychological testing and some brain MRI parameters may be recommended as a predictive test in remitting MS.