Decreased hippocampal volume, indirectly measured, is associated with depressive symptoms and consolidation deficits in multiple sclerosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1088-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gevrey Kiy ◽  
Pia Lehmann ◽  
Horst K Hahn ◽  
Paul Eling ◽  
Andreas Kastrup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Depressive Mood ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Hippocampal Atrophy ◽  
Indirect Measure ◽  
Temporal Horn ◽  
Learning Test

Background: The human hippocampus plays a role in episodic memory and depression. Recently, it has been shown, using manual tracings, that the hippocampus is smaller in volume in MS patients compared with healthy controls, and that, at least for depression, hippocampal atrophy correlates with symptom severity. Methods: Because manual tracing of the hippocampus is time consuming, we used a semi-automatic procedure for temporal horn volumetry in 72 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 16 control subjects as an indirect measure of hippocampal volume. We analysed memory performance with the California Verbal Learning Test (using separate indices for encoding, consolidation and retrieval) and depressive mood with the Beck’s Depression Inventory (distinguishing between psychic and somatic aspects). Results: MS patients had significantly larger temporal horn volumes and volume correlated with psychic symptoms of depressive mood. Temporal horn volume was also associated with consolidation, in particular in the most impaired group. Conclusions: Temporal horn volume can be measured relatively easily and appears to correlate with two major clinical problems in MS patients: memory performance and depressive mood. The link between temporal horn volume, consolidation and depression may be hippocampal atrophy, as suggested by their adjacent neuroanatomical localization, and by the similarity in functional loss following impairment of these two structures.

Memantine for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Lovera ◽  
E. Frohman ◽  
TR Brown ◽  
D. Bandari ◽  
L. Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Free Recall ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Self Report ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Learning Test

Background: Memantine, an NMDA antagonist, is effective for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: Determine whether memantine improves cognitive performance (CP) among subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) and cognitive impairment (CI). Methods: This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00300716) compared memantine 10 mg twice a day (4 week titration followed by 12 weeks on the highest tolerated dose) with placebo. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to exit on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) Long Delay Free Recall (LDFR). Secondary outcomes included additional neuropsychological tests; self-report measures of quality of life, fatigue, and depression; and family/caregiver reports of subjects’ CI and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Results: The differences between the groups on the change on the PASAT (placebo—memantine = 0.0 correct responses, 95% CI 3.4, 3.4; p = 0.9) and on CVLT-II LDFR (placebo—memantine =—0.6 words, 95% CI —2.1, 0.8; p = 0.4) as well as on the other cognitive tests were not significant. Subjects on memantine had no serious adverse events (AEs) but had more fatigue and neurological AEs as well as, per family members’ reports, less cognitive improvement and greater neuropsychiatric symptoms than subjects on placebo. Conclusion: Memantine 10 mg twice a day does not improve CP in subjects with MS, ages 18—65, without major depression, who have subjective cognitive complaints and perform worse than one SD below the mean on the PASAT or on the California Verbal Learning Test-II (total recall or delayed free recall).

scholarly journals Detection of inadequate effort on the California Verbal Learning Test-Second edition: Forced choice recognition and critical item analysis

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES C. ROOT ◽  
REUBEN N. ROBBINS ◽  
LUKE CHANG ◽  
WILFRED G. VAN GORP
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Critical Item ◽  
Forced Choice ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Learning Test

The Forced Choice Recognition (FCR) and the Critical Item Analysis (CIA) indices of the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) have been identified by the CVLT-II test developers as potentially useful, brief screening indicators of effort in neuropsychological assessment. This retrospective study analyzes performance on these measures in three groups: (1) clinically referred individuals; (2) forensically referred individuals not suspected of inadequate effort; and (3) forensically referred individuals whose performance on freestanding tests of effort suggested inadequate effort. Performances on FCR were analyzed for their relation to actual memory impairment and with regard to concrete and abstract distractor endorsement. FCR and CIA performances were analyzed for agreement with formal tests of inadequate effort and their test characteristics. Incremental validity was assessed by hierarchical logistic regression with previously identified indices for detection of inadequate effort on the CVLT. Results indicate that (1) FCR and CIA performances are not related to decreased memory performance; (2) FCR and CIA indices exhibit higher specificity and lower sensitivity, with higher positive predictive value than negative predictive value; and (3) FCR and CIA indices exhibit modest incremental validity with previously identified indices. Implications for use of FCR and CIA indices in inadequate effort detection are discussed (JINS, 2006, 12, 688–696.)

Quantitative and qualitative differences in the verbal learning performance of elderly depressives and healthy controls

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. King ◽  
Christopher Cox ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lyness ◽  
Yeates Conwell ◽  
and Eric D. Caine
Keyword(s):  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Learning Functions ◽  
Delayed Recognition ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
Unipolar Major Depression

We compared the verbal learning and memory performance of 57 inpatients with unipolar major depression and 30 nondepressed control participants using the California Verbal Learning Test. The effect of age within this elderly sample was also examined, controlling for sex, educational attainment, and estimated level of intelligence. Except for verbal retention, the depressives had deficits in most aspects of performance, including cued and uncued recall and delayed recognition memory. As well, there were interactions between depression effects and age effects on some measures such that depressives' performance declined more rapidly with age than did the performance of controls. The results are discussed in the context of recent contradictory reports about the integrity of learning and memory functions in late-life depression. We conclude that there is consistent evidence, from this and other studies, that elderly depressed inpatients have significant deficits in a range of explicit verbal learning functions. (JINS, 1998, 4, 115–126.)

scholarly journals The correlation between EDSS and cognitive impairment in MS patients. Assessment of a Brazilian population using a BICAMS version

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 974-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. G. de Caneda ◽  
Maria Cecília A. de Vecino
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Cognitive Evaluation ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Learning Test

ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) may present with a cognitive impairment as disabling as the physical disabilities. Therefore, routine cognitive evaluation is pivotal. Valid and reliable neuropsychological tests are essential in follow-up and to define future therapeutic interventions. Objectives To investigate the correlation between the disabilities of MS patients and their cognitive impairment assessed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS). Methods Forty patients with definitive diagnoses of MS were selected. The correlation coefficient (r) between the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the neuropsychological tests of BICAMS were calculated. Results The correlation was clinically substantial and significant with r = 0.55 (p < 0.01) in the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), 0.54 (p < 0.01) in the Brief Visuospacial Memory Test (BVMT) and 0.40 (p < 0.05) in the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Conclusion BICAMS has easy and satisfactory application and evaluation for routine visits and presents a significant correlation with the EDSS. Its use may be indicated for screening and monitoring of cognitive impairment in patients with MS.

Assessment of Alcohol-related Memory Deficits: A Comparison between the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test and the California Verbal Learning Test

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arie J. Wester ◽  
Renée L. Roelofs ◽  
Jos I.M. Egger ◽  
Roy P.C. Kessels
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Memory Test ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Everyday Memory ◽  
Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test ◽  
Learning Test

Objectives: Neuropsychological assessment of memory disorders is an important prerequisite in the treatment of patients with alcohol-related cognitive disorders. Although many memory tests are available in clinical practice, a question remains regarding which test is most appropriate for this purpose. Our study's goal was to evaluate the discriminative power of indices of a standard memory test (the California Verbal Learning Test; CVLT) versus the subtests of an ecologically valid everyday memory test (the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test; RBMT) in patients with alcohol-use disorder.Method: The patients included 136 with Korsakoff's syndrome (KS), 73 alcoholics with cognitive impairment (CI) not fulfilling the criteria for KS, and 24 cognitively unimpaired alcoholics (ALC).Results: KS patients performed significantly lower on all RBMT and CVLT variables than CI patients. ALC patients performed significantly better than CI patients on only one RBMT subtest, and had a significantly lower rate of forgetting and higher scores on free recall on CVLT. A combination of RBMT subtests and CVLT indices was able to discriminate KS patients from CI and ALC patients. The RBMT subtests could not significantly distinguish ALC from CI patients. Both rate of forgetting and a comparison between free and cued recall testing on the CVLT showed the largest between-group differences.Conclusion: Although the RBMT provides information about everyday memory performance, the CVLT indices are better able to distinguish between uncomplicated alcoholics and those with cognitive impairment or KS.

scholarly journals A validation study for remote testing of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852093738
Author(s):  
Lisa F Barcellos ◽  
Mary Horton ◽  
Xiaorong Shao ◽  
Kalliope H Bellesis ◽  
Terrence Chinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
California Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Remote Testing ◽  
Remote Assessment ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Objectives: Determine the validity and reliability of a remote, technician-guided cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (MS), incorporating the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II). Methods: In 100 patients, we compared conventional in-person testing to remote, web-assisted assessments, and in 36 patients, we assessed test–retest reliability using two equivalent, alternative forms. Results: In-person and remote-administered SDMT ( r = 0.85) and CVLT-II ( r = 0.71) results were very similar. Reliability was adequate and alternative forms of SDMT ( r = 0.92) and CVLT-II ( r = 0.81) produced similar results. Conclusions: Findings indicate remote assessment can provide valid, reliable measures of cognitive function in MS.

MUSICAL STRUCTURE FACILITATES VERBAL LEARNING IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL H. THAUT ◽  
DAVID A. PETERSON ◽  
KIMBERLY M. SENA ◽  
GERALD C. MCINTOSH
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Word Order ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Musical Structure ◽  
Auditory Verbal Learning Test ◽  
Auditory Verbal Learning ◽  
Learning Test

THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE that the temporal patterns in music and rhythm can be a mediating stimulus to enhance cognitive function.We investigated here whether a musical template would influence verbal learning and memory performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patients were randomly divided into two groups, hearing either a spoken or musical (sung) presentation of Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Patients in the music condition showed significantly better word order memory than patients in the spoken condition. The evidence suggests that music enhances word order memory in patients with MS.We discuss the possible neurobiological underpinning of this result.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document