Regional changes in thalamic shape and volume are related to cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvino Bisecco ◽  
Rocco Capuano ◽  
Giuseppina Caiazzo ◽  
Alessandro d’Ambrosio ◽  
Renato Docimo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Control Performance ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Speed Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shape Changes

Background: The relationship between cognitive performance and regional thalamic atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been investigated in recent studies. Objective and methods: To further assess this relationship, 118 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 52 healthy controls underwent a neuropsychological assessment and a 3T-MRI (3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging). Cognitive performances were correlated with thalamic shape changes by using Vertex Analysis. Results: Information processing speed performance correlated with atrophy of frontal/motor-connected thalamic sub-regions. Inhibitory control performance correlated with atrophy of all thalamic sub-regions. Global cognitive status correlated with atrophy of frontal/temporal-connected sub-regions. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that, within the thalamus, the damage of the anterior regions is most relevant for cognitive dysfunction.

scholarly journals Concurrent Validity of the PASAT and Adjusting-PSAT in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 130-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne L. Barker-Collo
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Task Force ◽  
The United States ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Serial Addition ◽  
The Relationship

Impaired information processing speed (IPS) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Performance on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PSAT)—the measure recommended by the United States National MS Society Task Force to track changes in IPS—does not indicate the precise speed at which IPS breaks down. A newer version of the task, the Adjusted Paced Serial Addition Test (A-PSAT), provides such an index. This study examined the relationship between PASAT and A-PSAT performance in a sample of 52 individuals with MS. Those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) were significantly younger and had significantly lower EDSS scores than those with chronic progressive MS (CPMS). Though performance indicators for both the PASAT and A-PSAT were better for patients with RRMS, differences in performance between MS groups were not significant (P >.05). Results of comparisons between the A-PSAT and PASAT support concurrent validity of the A-PSAT. In addition, performance on the APSAT—but not the PASAT—was significantly related to functional status as measured by the EDSS. Although these findings need to be replicated, they indicate that the A-PSAT may be a viable alternative to the existing PASAT.

Altered functional connectivity and performance variability in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1453-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Wojtowicz ◽  
Erin L Mazerolle ◽  
Virender Bhan ◽  
John D Fisk
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Frontal Pole ◽  
Performance Variability ◽  
Relapsing Remitting

Background: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrate slower and more variable performance on attention and information processing speed tasks. Greater variability in cognitive task performance has been shown to be an important predictor of neurologic status and provides a unique measure of cognitive performance in MS patients. Objectives: This study investigated alterations in resting-state functional connectivity associated with within-person performance variability in MS patients. Methods: Relapsing–remitting MS patients and matched healthy controls completed structural MRI and resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) scans, as well as tests of information processing speed. Performance variability was calculated from reaction time tests of processing speed. rsfMRI connectivity was investigated within regions associated with the default mode network (DMN). Relations between performance variability and functional connectivity in the DMN within MS patients were evaluated. Results: MS patients demonstrated greater reaction time performance variability compared to healthy controls ( p<0.05). For MS patients, more stable performance on a complex processing speed task was associated with greater resting-state connectivity between the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and the frontal pole. Conclusions: Among MS patients, greater functional connectivity between medial prefrontal and frontal pole regions appears to facilitate performance stability on complex speed-dependent information processing tasks.

Cognitive dysfunction in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Nocentini ◽  
P Pasqualetti ◽  
S Bonavita ◽  
M Buccafusca ◽  
M F De Caro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Relapsing Remitting

Cognitive dysfunction is considered one of the clinical markers of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, in the literature there are inconsistent reports on the prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, and separate data for the relapsing-remitting (RR) type of the disease are not always presented. In this study, we submitted 461 RRMS patients to a battery of neuropsychological tests to investigate their impairment in various cognitive domains. As a consequence of the exclusion criteria, the sample is not fully representative of the entire population of RRMS patients. In this selected sample, when only the eight scores of a core battery (Mental Deterioration Battery) were considered (with respective cutoffs), it emerged that 31% of the patients were affected by some degree of cognitive deficit. In particular, 15% had mild, 11.2% moderate and 4.8% had severe impairment. Information processing speed was the most frequently impaired area, followed by memory. When two other tests (SDMT and MCST) were added and cognitive domains were considered, it emerged that 39.3% of the patients were impaired in two or more domains. When four subgroups were obtained by means of cluster analysis and then compared, it emerged that information processing speed and memory deficits differentiated the still cognitively unimpaired from the mildly impaired MS patients. Significant associations were found between cognitive and clinical characteristics. However, due to the large sample size, clinically irrelevant relationships may also have emerged. Even with the limitations imposed by the sample selection and the possible underestimation of the prevalence and severity of cognitive dysfunction, these results seem to provide further evidence that information processing speed deficit may be an early and important marker of cognitive impairment in MS patients.

scholarly journals KOGNITYVINIO FUNKCIONAVIMO IR DEPRESIŠKUMO RYŠYS SERGANT IŠSĖTINE SKLEROZE: TRUMPO DAUGIAKARČIO NEUROPSICHOLOGINIŲ TESTŲ RINKINIO TAIKYMAS LIETUVOJE

Psichologija ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 74-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramunė Grambaitė ◽  
Rūta Sargautytė
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Repeatable Battery ◽  
The Relationship

Nors susirgus išsėtine skleroze (IS) 40–70% žmonių sutrinka kognityvinis funkcionavimas, o depresija taip pat dažnai lydi IS (nustatoma 27–54% sergančiųjų), duomenys apie jų sąryšį gana prieštaringi. Straipsnyje analizuojamas kognityvinio funkcionavimo ir depresiškumo ryšys sergant išsėtine skleroze ir Trumpo daugiakarčio neuropsichologinių testų rinkinio (BRBNT) taikymo galimybės. Tyrime dalyvavo 41 žmogus, sergantis IS, ir 52 sveiki asmenys. Kognityvinėms funkcijoms vertinti buvo išversta ir naudojama BRBNT B versija (Rao and Peyser, 1986). Depresiškumui vertinti buvo taikomas Becko depresijos inventarijus (BDI-II). Gauti rezultatai rodo, jog sergančiųjų IS verbalinis išmokimas yra neigiamai susijęs su depresiškumu: depresiškumas statistiškai reikšmingai koreliuoja su pastovaus ilgalaikio atgaminimo rodikliais ir su ilgalaikiu atgaminimu po tam tikro uždelsimo laikotarpio, tačiau hipotezė, jog egzistuoja ryšys tarp informacijos apdorojimo greičio ir depresiškumo, nepasitvirtino. Klasifikuojant tiriamuosius į sveikus ir sergančius IS, gautas 100% BRBNT jautrumas, taip pat 100% specifiškumas.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: išsėtinė sklerozė, kognityvinis funkcionavimas, depresiškumas. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND DEPRESSION SEVERITY IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS: APPLICATION OF THE BRIEF REPEATABLE BATTERY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS (BRBNT) IN LITHUANIARamunė Grambaitė, Rūta Sargautytė SummaryMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily the cerebral white matter, thereby causing both physical and psychological disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between cognitive function and depression severity in MS patients, as well as sensitivity and specificity characteristics of the BRBNT (The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests). We investigated 41 MS patients and 52 healthy people.Forty-one controls were selected from fifty-two healthy subjects and were individually matched with MS subjects for age, gender and education. BRBNT (Rao and Peyser, 1986) was designed for measuring verbal learning, visuospatial learning, sustained attention and concentration, information processing speed and verbal fluency cognitive functions. The B version of the BRBNT was translated and used in our study. Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) (Beck, 1996) was used for the evaluation of depression severity.Results of our study confirmed that depression severity was associated with verbal learning: Consistent Long Term Retrieval and the Delayed Recall significantly negatively related to depression severity. The relationship between information processing speed and depression severity was also negative, but not statistically significant. The five individual BRBNT tests separately did not significantly discriminate healthy controls from MS patients; however, when all the five BRBNT tests put together we found 100% sensitivity of and 100% specificity.Our findings lead to the conclusion that neuropsychological testing is important in organizing help strategies for MS patients. BRBNT is a sensitive measure of cognitive function in MS, and may assist with differential diagnosis. Similarly, BRBNT could well be applied to other groups of patients, whose illness results in physical and/or cognitive functional limitations.Keywords: multiple sclerosis, cognitive function, depression severity.

Targeted Cognitive Game Training Enhances Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated With Interferon Beta 1-a

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shay Menascu ◽  
Roy Aloni ◽  
Mark Dolev ◽  
David Magalashvili ◽  
Keren Gutman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Information Processing Speed

Abstract BackgroundPrevention of cognitive decline in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is of major importance. We explored the effect of short-term computerized game training on cognitive performance in MS patients with mild cognitive impairment.MethodsWe enrolled in this prospective study 100 eligible MS patients treated with Interferon-beta-1a (Rebif). All had mild cognitive impairment in either executive function or information processing speed. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either use the cognitive games platform byHappyNeuron (HN) or receive no intervention. Executive function and information processing speed scores were measured at 3 and 6 months from baseline to evaluate the effect of game training on cognitive scores.ResultsIn both executive function and information processing speed, the game Training group showed significant improvement after 3 and 6 months. The Non-Training group showed mild deterioration in both domains at 3 months, and further deterioration that became significant at 6 months in executive function. Furthermore, at 6 months, the percent of patients in the Training group that improved or remained stable in both cognitive domains was significantly higher compared to the Non-Training group.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that cognitive game training has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance in MS patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment. While further evaluation is required to assess the longevity of that effect, we nonetheless recommend to MS patients to be engaged in cognitive gaming practice as part of a holistic approach to treating their condition.

scholarly journals Thalamus volume change and cognitive impairment in early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan I Rojas ◽  
Georgina Murphy ◽  
Francisco Sanchez ◽  
Liliana Patrucco ◽  
Maria C Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Aims The objective of the study was to assess whether changes in the volume of the thalamus during the onset of multiple sclerosis predict cognitive impairment after accounting for the effects of brain volume loss. Methods A prospective study included patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis less than 3 years after disease onset (defined as the first demyelinating symptom), Expanded Disability Status Scale of 3 or less, no history of cognitive impairment and at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients were clinically followed up with annual brain magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological evaluations for 2 years. Measures of memory, information processing speed and executive function were evaluated at baseline and follow-up with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. After 2 years, the patients were classified into two groups, one with and the other without cognitive impairment. Brain dual-echo, high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired at baseline and every 12 months for 2 years. Between-group differences in thalamus volume, total and neocortical grey matter and white matter volumes were assessed using FIRST, SIENA, SIENAXr, FIRST software (logistic regression analysis P < 0.05 significant). Results Sixty-one patients, mean age 38.4 years, 35 (57%) women were included. At 2 years of follow-up, 17 (28%) had cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment patients exhibited significantly slower information processing speed and attentional deficits compared with patients without cognitive impairment ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). In the cognitive impairment group a significant reduction in the percentage of thalamus volume ( P < 0.001) was observed compared with the group without cognitive impairment. Conclusion We observed a significant decrease in thalamus volume in multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Cognitive and Language Deficits in Multiple Sclerosis: Comparison of Relapsing Remitting and Secondary Progressive Subtypes

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Ntoskou ◽  
Lambros Messinis ◽  
Grigorios Nasios ◽  
Maria Martzoukou ◽  
Giorgos Makris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Verbal Material ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Secondary Progressive ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
A Prospective Study

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the pattern and severity of cognitive and language impairment in Greek patients with Relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS), relative to control participants.Method:A prospective study was conducted in 27 patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), (N= 15) with RRMS, (N= 12) with SPMS, and (N= 12) healthy controls. All participants were assessed with a flexible comprehensive neuropsychological – language battery of tests that have been standardized in Greece and validated in Greek MS patients. They were also assessed on measures of disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale; EDSS), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale; FSS) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory - fast screen; BDI-FS).Results:Our results revealed that groups were well matched on baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. The two clinical groups (RRMS; SPMS) did not differ on overall global cognitive impairment but differed in the initial encoding of verbal material, mental processing speed, response inhibition and set-shifting. RRMS patients differed from controls in the initial encoding of verbal material, learning curve, delayed recall of verbal information, processing speed, and response inhibition. SPMS patients differed in all utilized measures compared to controls. Moreover, we noted increased impairment frequency on individualized measures in the progressive SPMS group.Conclusion:We conclude that MS patients, irrespective of clinical subtype, have cognitive deficits compared to healthy participants, which become increasingly worse when they convert from RRMS to SPMS.On the contrary,the pattern of impairment remains relatively stable.

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