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Cognition in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A prospective multicentre study of 217 patients
Martin W Hümmert1, Carlotta Stern1, Friedemann Paul2
1Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Background:
There is limited and inconsistent information on the prevalence of cognitive impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).
Objective:
To assess cognitive performance and changes over time in NMOSD.
Methods:
This study included data from 217 aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive (80%) and double-seronegative NMOSD patients. Cognitive functions measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial-Addition Task (PASAT), and/or Multiple Sclerosis Inventory Cognition (MuSIC) were standardized against normative data (N = 157). Intraindividual cognitive performance at 1- and 2-year follow-up was analyzed. Cognitive test scores were correlated with demographic and clinical variables and assessed with a multiple linear regression model.
Results:
NMOSD patients were impaired in SDMT (p = 0.007), MuSIC semantic fluency (p < 0.001), and MuSIC congruent speed (p < 0.001). No significant cognitive deterioration was found at follow-up. SDMT scores were related to motor and visual disability (pBon < 0.05). No differences were found between aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive and double-seronegative NMOSD.
Conclusions:
A subset of NMOSD patients shows impairment in visual processing speed and in semantic fluency regardless of serostatus, without noticeable changes during a 2-year observation period. Neuropsychological measurements should be adapted to physical and visual disabilities.
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