Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
Cognitive Performance of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Optic Neuritis at Presentation
Ari Leshno1, Oded Sagiv, Roy Aloni
1Goldschleger Eye Institute (AL, OS, AS, RH-B), Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychology (RA), Ariel University, Ariel, Israel ; Multiple Sclerosis Center (RA, AA), Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel ; and Sackler Faculty of Medicine (RA, AA, AL, OS, AS, RH-B), Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel .
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience optic neuritis (ON) at diagnosis show a higher likelihood of cognitive decline over time. Early intervention strategies may be beneficial for this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent complication in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The impact of optic neuritis (ON) at initial MS diagnosis on long-term cognitive function remains unclear.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for predicting disease course and managing MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the presence of optic neuritis (ON) at the initial presentation of multiple sclerosis (MS) influences the progression of cognitive decline.
- To compare cognitive performance trajectories in MS patients with and without ON at diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective historical cohort study design.
- Inclusion criteria: relapsing-remitting MS patients with cognitive test results at baseline and >36 months follow-up.
- Group comparison: MS patients with ON at presentation (MS-ON) versus those without (MS-non-ON).
Main Results:
- 170 MS patients were analyzed; 46 (27.1%) presented with ON.
- No significant baseline cognitive differences were observed between MS-ON and MS-non-ON groups.
- Cognitive decline was significantly more prevalent in the MS-ON group (6.5% vs 0%, P < 0.001), particularly in attention (P=0.046) and executive functions (P=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Optic neuritis at the onset of MS is linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline.
- These findings suggest that early interventions might be beneficial in mitigating cognitive impairment in MS patients presenting with ON.
