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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
11:35
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
58.8K
Longitudinal personality change associated with cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis.
Shumita Roy1, Allison Drake1, Tom Fuchs2
1Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|January 25, 2018
Summary
Personality and cognition remained stable in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients over five years. However, declines in Extraversion and Conscientiousness were linked to cognitive deterioration in the MS population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Previous research indicated stable personality and cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients over three years.
- Longer-term studies are needed to identify potential emerging personality dysfunction in MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate personality and cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis patients over a five-year period.
- To determine if cognitive decline is associated with specific personality trait changes in MS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for personality assessment and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS for cognitive evaluation.
- Classified patients into "Cog Stable" and "Cog Decline" groups based on cognitive changes over five years.
Main Results:
- Across all participants, Extraversion and Conscientiousness showed a decline over the five-year study period.
- The "Cog Decline" group exhibited a more pronounced decrease in Extraversion and Conscientiousness compared to the "Cog Stable" group.
- These findings demonstrate a significant association between personality changes and cognitive deterioration in multiple sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- While personality may show stability in the short term for MS patients, longer durations reveal declines in specific traits.
- Cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis is demonstrably linked to changes in personality, particularly Extraversion and Conscientiousness.
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