Learning and cognitive fatigue trajectories in multiple sclerosis defined using a burst measurement design

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Compromised learning and cognitive fatigue are key clinical manifestations in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Understanding these cognitive deficits is crucial for managing the disease's impact on daily functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of repeated testing within and across study visits on learning and cognitive fatigue measures in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• To assess the utility of a burst measurement design in capturing cognitive changes in RRMS.

Main Methods:

• A burst measurement design with nine administrations of the oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) over three visits was used.
• Thirty RRMS patients and 30 controls participated, with assessments of learning and cognitive fatigue during each test session.
• Cognitive fatigue was measured during three 30-second intervals within each SDMT administration.

Main Results:

• Patients with RRMS demonstrated significantly poorer learning within and across visits compared to controls.
• RRMS patients exhibited worse cognitive fatigue than controls.
• In RRMS patients, poorer self-rated cognitive dysfunction correlated with impaired learning.

Conclusions:

• The burst measurement design is an optimal methodology for studying learning and cognitive fatigue in RRMS.
• This approach, utilizing time-efficient tests like the SDMT, is suitable for longitudinal studies and clinical trials in multiple sclerosis.