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Published on: January 29, 2016
Reward responsiveness and fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
Matteo Pardini1, Elisabetta Capello, Frank Krueger
1University of Genoa, Italy. matteo.pardini@gmail.com
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|June 23, 2012
Summary
Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experiencing fatigue may have reduced reward responsiveness. This finding suggests that assessing reward perception could help tailor treatments for MS fatigue, particularly with certain medications.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Fatigue is a prevalent and poorly understood symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Emerging evidence suggests that impaired evaluation of action outcomes, specifically reward processing, may contribute to MS fatigue.
- Understanding the neuropsychological underpinnings of MS fatigue is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between reward-related cognitive processes and fatigue in patients with MS.
- To determine if assessing reward perception can predict the effectiveness of monoamine-modulating drugs in alleviating MS fatigue.
- To explore the potential of reward responsiveness as a biomarker for guiding personalized MS fatigue management.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 104 fatigued and 70 fatigue-free Relapsing-Remitting MS patients, screened for confounding mood, cognitive, or personality disorders.
- Reward perception was assessed at baseline using the Behavioural Inhibition and Behavioural Activation Scales (BIS/BAS).
- Fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and fatigue levels after three months of escitalopram or bupropion treatment were correlated with baseline BIS/BAS scores.
Main Results:
- Fatigued MS patients exhibited significantly lower reward responsiveness compared to their fatigue-free counterparts.
- Baseline reward responsiveness scores were correlated with Modified Fatigue Impact Scale scores.
- Lower baseline reward responsiveness predicted greater fatigue reduction in patients treated with bupropion, but not escitalopram.
Conclusions:
- Reward responsiveness is closely linked to fatigue in MS and may be a key cognitive factor contributing to its development.
- The assessment of reward responsiveness shows promise as a tool for predicting treatment response in MS-related fatigue.
- These findings support the use of reward responsiveness evaluation to personalize therapeutic strategies for managing fatigue in MS patients.
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