title: Neuropsychological effects of interferon beta-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group.
abstract: Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet few studies have examined effects of treatment on neuropsychological (NP) performance. To evaluate the effects of interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a, 30 microg administered intramuscularly once weekly [Avonex]) on cognitive function, a Comprehensive NP Battery was administered at baseline and week 104 to relapsing MS patients in the phase III study, 166 of whom completed both assessments. A Brief NP Battery was also administered at 6-month intervals. The primary NP outcome measure was 2-year change on the Comprehensive NP Battery, grouped into domains of information processing and learning/memory (set A), visuospatial abilities and problem solving (set B), and verbal abilities and attention span (set C). NP effects were most pronounced in cognitive domains vulnerable to MS: IFNbeta-1a had a significant beneficial effect on the set A composite, with a favorable trend evident on set B. Secondary outcome analyses revealed significant between-group differences in slopes for Brief NP Battery performance and time to sustained deterioration in a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test processing rate, favoring the IFNbeta-1a group. These results support and extend previous observations of significant beneficial effects of IFNbeta-1a for relapsing MS.
authors: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic, OH, USA.
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Fischer
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Priore
authors: L D
authors: LD
authors: Jacobs
authors: D L
authors: DL
authors: Cookfair
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Rudick
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Herndon
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Richert
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Salazar
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Goodkin
authors: C V
authors: CV
authors: Granger
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Simon
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authors: JH
authors: Grafman
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Lezak
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: O'Reilly Hovey
authors: K K
authors: KK
authors: Perkins
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Barilla-Clark
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Schacter
authors: D W
authors: DW
authors: Shucard
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Davidson
authors: K E
authors: KE
authors: Wende
authors: D N
authors: DN
authors: Bourdette
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Kooijmans-Coutinho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
chemical_list: D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a