Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Cognitive trajectories in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Evidence of multiple evolutionary trends
Frédéric London1, Alice De Haan2, Zohra Benyahia2
1Department of Neurology, CHU UCL Namur Site Godinne, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1 Avenue G. Thérasse, Yvoir B-5530, Belgium.
Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) may improve over time, not follow a declining path. Patient-reported outcomes did not predict future cognitive decline in this study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Cognitive impairment (CI) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but its progression is variable.
- Predicting CI in MS is challenging, with limited longitudinal data on baseline determinants.
- The predictive value of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for future CI in MS has not been explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive status changes in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients starting new disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).
- To assess the predictive value of PROMs for future CI in RRMS patients over 12 months.
Main Methods:
- Prospective 12-month follow-up of 59 RRMS patients.
- Comprehensive assessment including clinical (EDSS), neuropsychological (BVMT-R, SDMT, CVLT-II), MRI, and PROMs.
- Longitudinal logistic regression analysis to identify baseline predictors of CI at 12 months.
Main Results:
- 56% of patients had CI at baseline, decreasing to 38% at 12 months.
- Significant improvements were observed in cognitive test scores and most PROM scores after 12 months.
- Lower education and higher physical disability at baseline predicted poorer performance on SDMT and BVMT-R, but PROMs and MRI metrics did not predict CI.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment in MS appears dynamic and not necessarily a progressive decline.
- PROMs are not currently useful for predicting future cognitive impairment in RRMS patients.
- Further long-term follow-up is needed to confirm these findings.
Related Concept Videos
Evolutionary Psychology
What is Evolutionary History?
Convergent Evolution
The Evidence for Evolution
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Neuroplasticity

