A description of processing speed, learning and memory in people with multiple sclerosis aged 55

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Neurology

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) frequently causes cognitive impairments affecting executive function, attention, memory, and processing speed.
• Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging, but its accelerated progression in people with MS (pwMS) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate information processing speed, memory, and learning in an older cohort of pwMS.
• To investigate the influence of polypharmacy and age-related comorbidities on cognitive function in pwMS.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-nine participants aged 55+ with and without MS were assessed.
• Cognitive function was measured using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis.
• Polypharmacy, medication burden (anticholinergic, sedative), and comorbidities were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Older pwMS showed significantly poorer performance in information processing speed, learning, and delayed recall compared to people without MS (p<0.01), after controlling for age, gender, and education.
• The rate of age-related cognitive decline was comparable between pwMS and people without MS.

Conclusions:

• PwMS in this study exhibited diminished cognitive function relative to non-neurologic controls.
• Advancing age appears to affect cognitive function similarly in both people with MS and those without MS.