The impact of Information processing speed on visuospatial memory encoding and retrieval in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neurology

Background:

• Information processing speed (IPS) is often compromised in individuals with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), potentially affecting other cognitive functions.
• While a link between IPS and visuospatial memory exists, its specific impact on different components of visuospatial memory is not fully understood in PwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between impaired IPS and the encoding, active retrieval, passive retrieval, and learning indices of visuospatial memory in PwMS.
• To determine if IPS impairment predicts performance deficits across specific visuospatial memory sub-processes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from 92 PwMS and 29 healthy controls (HCs).
• IPS was assessed using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
• Visuospatial memory was evaluated using the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R); hierarchical regression analyzed the predictive value of IPS impairment (z-score ≤-1.5).

Main Results:

• Nearly half (47.8%) of PwMS exhibited SDMT impairment.
• IPS impairment significantly predicted poorer performance in later learning trials (2nd and 3rd), active retrieval, and the learning index of the BVMT-R in PwMS.
• No significant associations were found for initial learning, passive retrieval in PwMS, or any BVMT-R component in HCs.

Conclusions:

• PwMS with IPS deficits demonstrate reduced visuospatial learning and memory, particularly in advanced encoding stages and active information recall.
• These findings underscore the critical importance of considering IPS status when evaluating visuospatial memory performance in the context of multiple sclerosis.