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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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Measuring Progressive Neurological Disability in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: November 14, 2016
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Cognitive and Language Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis: Comparison of Relapsing Remitting and Secondary Progressive
Katerina Ntoskou1, Lambros Messinis2, Grigorios Nasios3
1Rehabilitation unit for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury, "Demetrios and Vera Sfikas", Department of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
The Open Neurology Journal
|March 27, 2018
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive and language deficits compared to healthy individuals. These impairments worsen with disease progression from Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting cognitive and language functions.
- Understanding the specific patterns of impairment in different MS subtypes is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare cognitive and language deficits in Greek patients with Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS).
- To establish a baseline for cognitive and language function in these patient groups relative to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 27 MS patients (15 RRMS, 12 SPMS) and 12 healthy controls.
- Comprehensive neuropsychological and language assessments standardized for the Greek population.
- Evaluation of disability (EDSS), fatigue (FSS), and depression (BDI-FS).
Main Results:
- MS patients, regardless of subtype, exhibited cognitive deficits compared to controls.
- SPMS patients showed more widespread and severe impairments across all tested measures than RRMS patients.
- Differences between RRMS and SPMS groups were noted in verbal encoding, processing speed, and executive functions.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive and language impairments are prevalent in MS patients across subtypes.
- Disease progression from RRMS to SPMS is associated with worsening cognitive deficits.
- The pattern of cognitive impairment appears relatively stable despite increasing severity.
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