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Maturational Trajectory of Processing Speed Performance in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Nadine Akbar1, Alessio Signori2, Maria Pia Amato3

  • 1a School of Rehabilitation Therapy , Queen's University , Kingston , Ontario , Canada.

Developmental Neuropsychology
|September 6, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Processing speed, measured by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), matures in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) with age. Older age at onset and higher IQ may protect cognitive development in pediatric MS patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Processing speed is a key cognitive function often impaired in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is a standard tool for assessing processing speed in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental trajectories of processing speed in children and adolescents with MS.
  • To identify baseline factors influencing these cognitive maturation patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of SDMT performance data from 82 individuals with pediatric MS.
  • Examination of age at disease onset and IQ as potential predictive factors for cognitive trajectories.

Main Results:

  • SDMT performance demonstrated an initial increase with age, followed by a decline in pediatric MS patients.
  • Older age at disease onset and higher IQ were associated with more significant cognitive gains over time.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric MS patients exhibit distinct maturational patterns in processing speed.
  • Early disease onset and higher intellectual quotient may confer a protective effect on cognitive development in pediatric MS.

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