Low contrast visual acuity testing is associated with cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment and visual deterioration are prevalent in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), affecting 50-80% of patients.
• The relationship between cognitive deficits and visual test performance in MS remains underexplored.
• This study investigates the influence of cognitive impairment on low contrast sensitivity testing in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if cognitive impairment affects low contrast sensitivity (CS) test results in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
• To identify specific cognitive domains associated with visual function in MS.
• To explore the correlation between cognitive performance and visual acuity measures.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 89 relapsing-remitting MS patients.
• Cognitive function assessed using Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Testing (BRB-N).
• Visual function evaluated via low contrast sensitivity (CS) and high contrast visual acuity (VA); retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography.

Main Results:

• Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) scores, along with RNFL thickness, predicted CS.
• Even after controlling for RNFL thickness, CS remained associated with PASAT and SDMT performance.
• Information processing speed and memory showed correlations with visual test performance.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive impairment is associated with performance on visual function tests, specifically low contrast sensitivity, in MS patients.
• Information processing speed is the primary cognitive domain linked to visual test results, followed by memory.
• Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts, including healthy controls and individuals with greater cognitive burden, are warranted.