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Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Prospective memory impairment in multiple sclerosis: a review
Isabelle Rouleau1,2, Emmanuelle Dagenais1, Alexandra Tremblay1
1a Department of Psychology , Université du Québec à Montréal , Montreal , Canada.
Objective:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system affecting information processing speed, episodic memory, attention, and executive functions. MS patients also often report prospective memory (PM) failures that directly impact their functional autonomy, including professional and social life. The purpose of this paper was to review the literature concerning the assessment and remediation of PM deficits in MS.
Method:
The literature pertaining to PM impairment in MS was carefully reviewed using PubMed, PsyINFO, and Google Scholar, as well as cross-references from the articles published on this topic. Since PM rehabilitation in MS patients is still in its infancy, this review mainly focuses on studies that have directly assessed PM through various measures including questionnaires, standardized clinical tests, and experimental procedures.
Conclusion:
This literature review confirms the presence of PM deficits in MS patients, even in the early stages of the disease. A further need for controlled studies on PM assessment and PM interventions in patients with MS is stressed.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis patients often experience prospective memory (PM) failures, impacting daily life. This review highlights the need for better assessment and intervention strategies for PM deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive central nervous system disease.
- MS affects cognitive functions including memory, attention, and processing speed.
- Prospective memory (PM) failures are frequently reported by MS patients, impacting autonomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on the assessment of prospective memory (PM) deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore current remediation strategies for PM impairments in MS patients.
- To identify gaps in research regarding PM assessment and intervention in MS.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, PsyINFO, and Google Scholar.
- Cross-referencing of published articles was employed to identify relevant studies.
- Focus was placed on studies assessing PM through questionnaires, clinical tests, and experimental procedures.
Main Results:
- The review confirms the presence of prospective memory deficits in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
- These deficits are evident even in the early stages of the disease.
- Current research on PM rehabilitation in MS is limited.
Conclusions:
- Prospective memory deficits are a significant issue for MS patients.
- There is a critical need for more controlled studies on PM assessment in MS.
- Further research into effective PM interventions for MS patients is essential.
