Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
11:35
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition performance in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Joseph J Ryan1, Samuel T Gontkovsky, David S Kreiner
1Department of Psychological Science, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, 64093, USA. ryan@ucmo.edu
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|March 8, 2012
Summary
Cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is impaired, with 78% experiencing lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores compared to estimates before their illness. This impacts daily life and disease management.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting cognitive function.
- Assessing cognitive deficits in MS patients is crucial for understanding disease impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cognitive performance in patients with relapsing-remitting MS using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV).
- To compare cognitive scores between MS patients and a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- Forty relapsing-remitting MS patients and a healthy control group completed 10 core WAIS-IV subtests.
- Demographic data, MS duration, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were recorded for MS patients.
Main Results:
- MS patients scored significantly lower on WAIS-IV subtests and composite scores compared to controls.
- While scores were generally in the low-average to average range, a trend showed higher Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and lower Processing Speed Index (PSI) in MS patients.
- Approximately 78% of MS patients had Full Scale IQs significantly lower than pre-illness estimates.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment, particularly in processing speed, is prevalent in relapsing-remitting MS.
- The observed decline in IQ suggests a significant impact of MS on cognitive abilities, necessitating tailored support and interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Wechsler's Contribution to Measures of Intelligence
David Wechsler, a psychologist who worked with World War I veterans, developed a significant IQ test in 1939 called the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale. This test was innovative because it combined several subtests that measured both verbal and nonverbal skills, reflecting Wechsler's belief that intelligence is a global capacity involving purposeful action, rational thinking, and effective interaction with the environment. This test later evolved into the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale...
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...