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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
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Trait Conscientiousness predicts rate of longitudinal SDMT decline in multiple sclerosis
Tom A Fuchs1, Curtis Wojcik2, Gregory E Wilding3
1Department of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA/Jacobs Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|January 8, 2019
Summary
Higher conscientiousness in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to slower cognitive decline. This finding may help inform future MS research and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a common and progressive issue for many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Pre-existing individual differences may influence the risk and rate of cognitive decline in MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the rate of cognitive decline over time in a cohort of MS patients.
- To identify baseline clinical and psychological factors that predict cognitive decline trajectories in MS.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 531 MS patients collected over 16 years.
- Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to analyze Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) performance and identify predictors of decline.
Main Results:
- The study found an average estimated decline of 0.22 SDMT raw-score points per year.
- Significant predictors of decline included time from baseline, test form, disease course, age, sex, subjective cognitive impairment, premorbid verbal intelligence, and trait Conscientiousness.
- A notable interaction was observed between Conscientiousness and time from baseline, indicating its influence on the rate of decline.
Conclusions:
- Higher baseline trait Conscientiousness is associated with slower longitudinal cognitive decline in individuals with MS.
- Understanding these predictors, including conscientiousness, can inform future research directions and clinical management strategies for cognitive impairment in MS.
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