Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Cognition in multiple sclerosis: Between cognitive reserve and brain volume
G Fenu1, L Lorefice1, M Arru1
1Multiple Sclerosis Center, Binaghi Hospital, ATS Sardegna, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Background:
Several correlations between cognitive impairment (CI), radiologic markers and cognitive reserve (CR) have been documented in MS.
Obiective:
To evaluate correlation between CI and brain volume (BV) considering CR as possibile mitigating factor.
Methods:
195 relapsing MS patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment using BICAMS. BV was estimated using SIENAX to obtain normalized volume of brain (NBV), white matter (NWV), gray matter (NGV) and cortical gray matter (CGV). CR was estimated using a previously validated tool.
Results:
Pearson test showed a correlation between the symbol digit modality test (SDMT) score and NBV (r=0.38; p<0.000) NGV(r=0.31; p<0.000), CGV (r=0.35; p<0.000) and CRI score(r=0.42; p<0.000). Linear regression (dependent variable:SDMT) showed a relationship with CR scores (p=0.000) and NGV(p<0.000). A difference was detected between cognitive impaired and preserved patients regarding mean of NBV(p=0.002), NGV(p=0.007), CGV(p=0.002) and CR Scores (p=0.007). Anova showed a association between the presence of CI (dependent variable) and the interaction term CRIQ × CGV (p=0.004) whit adjustment for age and disability evaluated by EDSS.
Conclusions:
Our study shows a correlation between cognition and BV, in particular gray matter volume. Cognitive reserve is also confirmed as an important element playing a role in the complex interaction to determine the cognitive functions in MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Cognitive Dissonance
01:27Language and Cognition
01:25Cognitive Therapy
01:23Cognition and Behavior
01:21Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
01:20Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...