title: Multiple sclerosis: methodological aspects of cognitive testing.
abstract: In a cross-sectional study of 94 patients (42 males, 52 females) with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) in the age range 25-55 years, the correlation of neuropsychological tests with the ability to read TV-subtitles and with the use of sedatives is examined. A logistic regression analysis reveals a significant correlation between results of an attention and perceptual motor speed test i.e. Symbol Digit Modalities test and the ability to read TV-subtitles, but no correlation was found with another attention and perceptual motor speed test, or verbal or visual memory. No correlation between the use of sedatives and results on neuropsychological tests was found. Anxiety was not correlated with the ability to read TV-subtitles. It is concluded that visual deficits but not the use of sedatives may be a confounding factor in neuropsychological testing in MS.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuro-Psychiatric Research Unit, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stenager
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives