Multiple Sclerosis: Brain Atrophy and Computerized Cognitive Testing – A Cross-Sectional Pilot Investigation

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Gudesblatt
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pilot Investigation

Internet-based cognitive testing in multiple sclerosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1011-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Younes ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
J. Quinless ◽  
M. Kilduff ◽  
B. Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Stability Index ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis is difficult to study because of the heterogeneity and variability of this disease. The gold standard for measurement of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis is a full battery of neurocognitive tests, which is time consuming and expensive. Some cognitive tests like the PASAT, a measure of working verbal memory and processing speed, have been proposed for screening and follow-up of cognitive function in clinical trials. We studied whether we could measure cognitive function in multiple sclerosis over the Internet. For this we used the Cognitive Stability Index (CSI)™, developed for persons with known or suspected primary central nervous system illness. The CSI was compared with formal neurocognitive testing (NPsych) and the PASAT in a cross-sectional study of 40 consecutive multiple sclerosis patients with subjective cognitive complaints. NPsych revealed that only 18 of the 40 patients (46%) were cognitively impaired. Although both the CSI and the PASAT were equalivalent in their specificity (86%), the CSI was significantly more sensitive than the PASAT (83% versus 28%). We conclude that the CSI, because of its availability over the Internet, has great potential as a tool for screening and follow up of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1011—1019. http://msj.sagepub.com

scholarly journals Early Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis Patients In Relation To Brain Atrophy, Egyptian Sample

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Zakaria ◽  
T A Abdo ◽  
A A Abdelaziz ◽  
D A Zamzam ◽  
Y A Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
General Medicine ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract Background Approximately half of all patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive impairment, most commonly with regard to new learning and memory. Cognitive dysfunction is a leading cause of disability in MS and it can have profound social and economic consequences for patients and their families. Objective This study was conducted to discover the early cognitive domains affected in multiple sclerosis patients concomitant with the postulated brain atrophy in an Egyptian sample of multiple sclerosis patients. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional observational case-control study conducted on seventy (60) patients who came for follow-up in Ain Shams University hospitals. 40 patients were taken as cases that followed up in MS unit in Ain-Shams university hospitals. 20 participants were taken as controls taken from the general medicine clinics age and sex matched to our patient group. An informed written consent was taken from parents of each person included in the study. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in brain volumetric changes and in the parameters of cognitive assessment Conclusion Early detection and examination of cognitive functions is important for patient evaluation, follow up and treatment regimen used.

Frontal parenchymal atrophy measures in multiple sclerosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 562-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Locatelli ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Attilio Grop ◽  
Marino Zorzon
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Quantitative Mri ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regional Brain ◽  
Brain Parenchymal Fraction ◽  
Brain Parenchymal

The aim of this study was to establish whether, in a cross-sectional study, the normalized measures of whole and regional brain atrophy correlate better with tests assessing the cognitive function than the absolute brain atrophy measures. The neuropsychological performances and disability have been assessed in 39 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). T1- and T2-lesion load (LL) of total brain and frontal lobes (FLs) were measured using a reproducible semiautomated technique. The whole brain volume and the regional brain parenchymal volume (RBPV) of FLs were obtained using a computerized interactive program, which incorporates semiautomated and automated segmentation processes. Normalized measures of brain atrophy, i.e., brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) and regional brain parenchymal fraction (RBPF) of FLs, were calculated. The scan-rescan, inter- and intrarater coefficient of variation (COV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) have been estimated. The RBPF of FLs showed an acceptable level of reproducibility which ranged from 1.7% for intrarater variability to 3.2% for scan-rescan variability. The mean ICC was 0.88 (CI 0.82-0.93). The RBPF of FLs demonstrated stronger magnitudes of correlation with neuropsychological functioning, disability and quantitative MRI lesion measures than RBPV. These differences were statistically significant: P=0.001 for Stroop Color Word Interference test, P=0.001 for Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, P=0.04 for Standard Raven Progressive Matrices, P=0.049 for Expanded Disability Status Scale, P=0.01 for T2-LL of FLs and P< 0.001 for T1-LL of FLs. BPF demonstrated significant correlations with tests assessing cognitive functions, whereas BPAV did not. The correlation analysis results were supported by the results of multiple regression analysis which showed that only the normalized brain atrophy measures were associated with tests exploring the cognitive functions. These data suggest that RBPF is a reproducible and sensitive method for measuring frontal parenchymal atrophy. The normalized measures of whole and regional brain parenchymal atrophy should be preferred to absolute measures in future studies that correlate neuropsychological performances and brain atrophy measures in patients with MS.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Interpersonal Deressive Symptoms and Reduced Amygdala Volume in People with Multiple Sclerosis: Considerations for Clinical Practice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Haines ◽  
Ernest Butler ◽  
Stephen Stuckey ◽  
Robert Hester ◽  
Lisa B. Grech
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Regional Brain ◽  
Amygdala Volume ◽  
The Right ◽  
Regional Brain Atrophy

Abstract Background: The lifetime prevalence of depression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is approximately 50% compared with around 16% in the general population. There is a relationship between depression and quality of life in people with MS and evidence that depression may contribute to disease progression. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study assessed the association between depression and regional brain atrophy, including amygdala and hippocampal volume. Forty-nine participants with MS recruited through a hospital MS clinic were administered the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R) to investigate whether higher endorsement on the items depressive affect and interpersonal symptoms were associated with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging measurements of hippocampal and amygdala atrophy. Results: Regression analysis revealed an association between depression-related interpersonal symptoms and right amygdala volume. No association was found between depression and hippocampal volume. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary support for a unilateral, biologically based relationship between the right amygdala and characteristic interpersonal depressive symptoms expressed by people with MS and add to the growing body of literature implicating regional brain atrophy in MS-associated depression. Given that the interpersonal subcomponent of the CESD-R measures social functioning, and the neural networks in the amygdala are known to be implicated in processing social stimuli, this research suggests that targeted diagnosis and treatments for depression in people with MS may be particularly beneficial in this population. Further confirmatory research of this relationship is required.

scholarly journals Cognitive function is a major determinant of income among multiple sclerosis patients in Sweden acting independently from physical disability

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrius Kavaliunas ◽  
Virginija Danylaite Karrenbauer ◽  
Hanna Gyllensten ◽  
Ali Manouchehrinia ◽  
Anna Glaser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), various aspects of cognitive function can be detrimentally affected, thus patients’ employment and social functioning is commonly impacted. Objective: To analyse income among MS patients in relation to cognitive function, assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Methods: A cross-sectional study including 2080 MS patients was conducted linking national register-based data. Descriptive statistics and a two-part model were used to estimate differences in earnings and social benefits. Results: MS patients in the highest SDMT score quartile earned more than twice annually compared to patients in the lowest quartile, whereas patients in the lowest quartile received three times more income through social benefits. The difference in earnings and benefits across the SDMT performance quartiles remained statistically significant after adjusting for various clinical and socio-demographic variables, including physical disability. The corrected prevalence ratios for MS patients in the highest quartile for having income from earnings and benefits were 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–1.49) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71–0.90), respectively, when compared to the patients in the lowest quartile. Conclusion: Cognitive function affects the financial situation of MS patients negatively and independently of physical disability. This warrants cognitive testing as a routine measure in health care services for MS patients.

Measurement of brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis – a cross-sectional retrospective study

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (S 02) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Prügl ◽  
A Hahn ◽  
T Schmidt-Wilcke ◽  
G Schuierer ◽  
U Bogdahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Cross Sectional

Revisiting cognitive reserve and cognition in multiple sclerosis: A closer look at depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viral P Patel ◽  
Lisa AS Walker ◽  
Anthony Feinstein
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Reserve ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The protective effect of cognitive reserve (CR) on cognition in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been well described. Objective: To explore the relationship between aspects of CR, namely, leisure pursuits and depression. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 155 PwMS and 115 healthy controls (HC) underwent cognitive testing with the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) battery. Leisure activity was retrospectively recorded using the Leisure Activity Scale (LAS). Depression was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: PwMS demonstrated greater decreases in leisure activity over time compared to the HC group, particularly in the past year ( p < 0.001). Here, depression accounted for 17% of the variance in determining the level of leisure activity ( p < 0.001). Premorbid IQ and leisure activity within the past year emerged as significant predictors of information processing speed, learning, memory and executive function. After controlling for depression, the influence of leisure activity on cognition was insignificant. Conclusion: Depression can cause significant changes in behaviour which can influence indices of CR, such as leisure pursuits. Successfully treating depression may lead to a more active lifestyle thereby offsetting in part the cognitive burden of disease.

scholarly journals LesionQuant for assessment of MRI in multiple sclerosis - a promising supplement to the visual scan inspection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Synne Brune ◽  
Einar A. Høgestøl ◽  
Vanja Cengija ◽  
Pål Berg-Hansen ◽  
Piotr Sowa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Lesion Volume ◽  
Radiological Evaluation ◽  
Lesion Count ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Time Points ◽  
One Year

AbstractBackground and goalsMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system inflammatory disease where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Quantitative measurements of lesion volume, lesion count, distribution of lesions and brain atrophy have a potentially significant value for evaluating disease progression. We hypothesize that utilizing software designed for evaluating MRI data in MS will provide more accurate and detailed analyses compared to the visual neuro-radiological evaluation.MethodsA group of 56 MS patients (mean age 35 years, 70% females and 96% relapsing-remitting MS) was examined with brain MRI one and five years after diagnosis. The T1 and FLAIR brain MRI sequences for all patients were analysed using the LesionQuant(LQ) software. These data were compared with data from structured visual evaluations of the MRI scans performed by a neuro-radiologist, including assessments of atrophy and lesion count. Correlations with clinical tests like the timed 25-foot walk test (T25FT) were performed to explore additional value of LQ analyses.ResultsLesion count assessments by LQ and by the neuro-radiologist were significantly correlated one year (cor=0.92, p=2.2×10−16) and five years (cor=0.84, p=2.7×10−16) after diagnosis. LQ detected a reduction in whole brain percentile >10 in 10 patients across the time-points, whereas the neuro-radiologist assessment identified six of these. The neuro-radiologist additionally identified five patients with increased atrophy in the follow-up period, all of them displayed decreasing low whole brain percentiles (median 11, range 8-28) in the LQ analysis. Significant positive correlation was identified between lesion volume measured by LQ and test performance on the T25FT both at one year and five years after diagnosis.ConclusionFor the number of MS lesions at both time-points, we demonstrated strong correlations between the assessments done by LQ and the neuro-radiologist. Lesion volume evaluated with LQ correlated with T25FT performance. LQ-analyses were more sensitive in capturing brain atrophy than the visual neuro-radiological evaluation. In conclusion, LQ seems like a promising supplement to the evaluation performed by neuro-radiologists, providing an automated tool for evaluating lesions and brain volume in MS patients in both a longitudinal and cross-sectional setting.

Brief Overview and Experience of Visual Evoked Potential of First 67 cases at Referral Neuroscience Hospital in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Mohammad Enayet Hussain ◽  
Bithi Debnath ◽  
AFM Al Masum Khan ◽  
Md Ferdous Mian ◽  
Md Nahidul Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Optic Neuritis ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Optic Neuropathy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Pattern Reversal ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Visual Evoked

Background: The visual evoked potentials (VEP) is a valuable tool to document occult lesions of the central visual channels especially within the optic nerve. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to observe the findings of first few cases of VEP done in the neurophysiology department of the National Institute of Neurosciences (NINS), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurophysiology at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2017 to March 2020. All patients referred to the Neurophysiology Department of NINS for VEP were included. Pattern reversal VEPs were done using standard protocol set by International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN). Results: The mean age of the study population was 30.70 (±12.11) years (6-68 years) with 31 (46.3%) male and 36 (53.7%) female patients. The mean duration of illness was 8.71 (±1.78) months (3 days- 120 months). Most common presenting symptom was blurring of vision (37.3%) and dimness of vision (32.8%). Patterned VEP revealed mixed type (both demyelinating and axonal) of abnormality in most cases [29(43.35)]. The most common clinical diagnosis was multiple sclerosis (29.85%) and optic neuropathy (26.87%). In the clinically suspected cases of multiple sclerosis, optic neuropathy and optic neuritis most of the cases of VEP were abnormal and the p value is 0.04 in optic neuropathy and optic neuritis. Conclusion: The commonest presentation of the patients in this series were blurring of vision and dimness of vision. The most common clinical diagnosis for which VEP was asked for, was optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis. Most abnormalities were of mixed pattern (demyelinating and axonal). Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2020;6(2): 74-77

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document