Social memory deficits and their neural correlates in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neurology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known to affect cognitive functions.
• Social memory, the ability to recall information about other individuals, has not been previously studied in MS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate social memory deficits in MS patients.
• To explore the relationship between social memory, brain structure, and white matter integrity in MS.

Main Methods:

• 26 MS patients and 23 healthy controls performed a social navigation task during fMRI.
• Episodic social memory recall was assessed via questionnaire.
• Structural MRI (T1-weighted, T2-FLAIR) and diffusion tensor imaging were acquired.

Main Results:

• MS patients demonstrated preserved social navigation but significantly impaired episodic social memory compared to controls.
• No significant group differences were found in task-based fMRI activity.
• Impaired social memory in MS correlated with reduced right precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PPCC) volume, increased T2-FLAIR lesion load, and poorer white matter integrity (lower fractional anisotropy, higher mean diffusivity).

Conclusions:

• This study identifies a novel cognitive deficit in social memory within MS.
• Regional brain volume (PPCC) and white matter pathology are associated with social memory impairment in MS.
• Findings suggest social cognition should be further investigated in MS and other neuropsychiatric conditions.