Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Based on Age, Gender, and Education Level

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as an inflammatory, progressive, and autoimmune disease in the central nervous system, recognized by its subsequent demyelination and neurodegeneration. Cognitive disorders are among the most severe problems in patients with MS, affecting their personal and professional life. This study is aimed to evaluate memory and visual learning, visual processing speed, and spatial perception in MS patients based on age, gender, and level of education. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 42 MS patients (based on McDonald’s criteria). The level of disability in patients was assessed using EDSS, and cognitive performance was evaluated by the use of judgment of line orientation (JLO), symbol digit modalities test (SDMT), and revised brief visuospatial memory test (BVMT-R). In this study, patients were within the age range of 20-51 years, 73.8% of which were female, and 61.9% had academic degrees. According to the classes of independent variables (gender, education level), no significant difference was observed in the mean scores of dependent variables (JLO, SDMT, and BVMR-T scores) (P>0.05). In addition, age as a confounding variable had no impact (P>0.05). In addition, gender and level of education had no significant interaction (P>0.05). According to the results of the study, age, gender, and education level had no significant effect on memory and visual learning, visual processing speed, and spatial perception.

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B-16 Evaluating the Effects of Obesity on Cognitive Functioning in a Sample of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acz034.99 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 961-961

Author(s):

C Newman ◽

A McDermott

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Clinical Population ◽

Future Research ◽

Morbidly Obese ◽

Visual Processing Speed ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract Objective Fergenbaum et al., 2009 found that obesity was linked to increased cognitive issues in otherwise healthy individuals, while another study found obesity to be neuroprotective in a sample of dementia patients (Fitzpatrick et al., 2009). The present study explores whether obesity is associated with worse cognitive dysfunction in those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method This study examined archival neuropsychological test data of 40 patients diagnosed with MS. Participants were separated into two groups based on their BMI: healthy/overweight individuals and obese/morbidly obese. ANOVA was performed to compare performances between groups on tasks measuring learning and memory, processing speed, and executive functioning; areas commonly affected in MS. Results Significant differences between groups were noted on only portions of two different tests; unstructured verbal learning (p = .003) and mental sequencing (p = .048), but no differences were found in other tasks. Particularly, performance was statistically equal between groups on measures of response inhibition (p = .887), visual processing speed (p = .182), visuospatial learning (p = .118), visuospatial free recall (p = .205), simple auditory attention (p = .630), working memory (p = .223), psychomotor speed (p = .969), and complex divided attention (p = .202). Conclusion Obese patients with MS scored significantly better on the majority of tasks that we reviewed. These results seem to contradict a study that examined healthy subjects but seems to replicate findings in at least one clinical population; those with dementia. It is possible that increased BMI in clinical populations may indicate better overall health leading to better cognition, though if it is actually neuroprotective and only limited to MS and dementia is uncertain. Future research endeavors are discussed.

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Education level and the characteristics cognitive impairment in a Brazilian cohort of multiple sclerosis patients

10.26226/morressier.59a3edabd462b8028d894f21 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Carolina M. Rimkus

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Education Level ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽

Brazilian Cohort

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Influence of auditory–verbal, visual–verbal, visual, and visual–visual processing speed on reading and spelling at the end of Grade 1

Brain and Cognition ◽

10.1016/j.bandc.2004.08.043 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 189-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Monique Plaza ◽

Henri Cohen

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Visual Processing Speed ◽

End Of Grade ◽

Reading And Spelling

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Visual attention in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder before and after stimulant treatment

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718003628 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (15) ◽

pp. 2617-2625 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ann-Marie Low ◽

Signe Vangkilde ◽

Julijana le Sommer ◽

Birgitte Fagerlund ◽

Birte Glenthøj ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Visual Attention ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Stimulant Medication ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Visual Processing Speed ◽

Adhd Symptomatology

AbstractBackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which frequently persists into adulthood. The primary goal of the current study was to (a) investigate attentional functions of stimulant medication-naïve adults with ADHD, and (b) investigate the effects of 6 weeks of methylphenidate treatment on these functions.MethodsThe study was a prospective, non-randomized, non-blinded, 6-week follow-up design with 42 stimulant medication-naïve adult patients with ADHD, and 42 age and parental education-matched healthy controls. Assessments included measures of visual attention, based on Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention (TVA), which yields five precise measures of aspects of visual attention; general psychopathology; ADHD symptoms; dyslexia screening; and estimates of IQ.ResultsAt baseline, significant differences were found between patients and controls on three attentional parameters: visual short-term memory capacity, threshold of conscious perception, and to a lesser extent visual processing speed. Secondary analyses revealed no significant correlations between TVA parameter estimates and severity of ADHD symptomatology. At follow-up, significant improvements were found specifically for visual processing speed; this improvement had a large effect size, and remained when controlling for re-test effects, IQ, and dyslexia screen performance. There were no significant correlations between changes in visual processing speed and changes in ADHD symptomatology.ConclusionsADHD in adults may be associated with deficits in three distinct aspects of visual attention. Improvements after 6 weeks of medication are seen specifically in visual processing speed, which could represent an improvement in alertness. Clinical symptoms and visual attentional deficits may represent separate aspects of ADHD in adults.

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