High openness and high extroversion are linked with better time-based prospective memory in multiple sclerosis

Prospective memory (PM) deficits are often reported in multiple sclerosis (MS), but their relationship with neuropsychological characteristics and personality traits remains to be explored.

To systematically investigate both time-based and event-based PM abilities in a sample of MS without clinically relevant disability or global cognitive decline and to explore cognitive, neuropsychiatric characteristics and personality traits associated with PM deficits.

Thirty-three patients with MS and 33 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent a standardized measure of PM to evaluate both time-based and event-based PM. Moreover, patients with MS completed the Brief Repeatable Battery to assess cognitive functioning, the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Dimensional Apathy Scale to assess neuropsychiatric characteristics, and the NEO Personality Inventory-3 to assess personality traits.

Individuals with MS demonstrated impaired time-based PM compared to healthy individuals. The regression analysis showed that poor performance in time-based PM was significantly related to lower extroversion and openness traits, whereas poor performance in event-based PM was significantly related to lower visuospatial memory abilities.

Low levels of openness and extroversion traits are associated with a greater risk of developing time-based PM deficit. Therefore, personality assessment and behavioural interventions should be encouraged in MS clinical practice.