Effect of interferon-beta-1b on cognitive functions in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is recognised as a central nervous system disease also affecting cognition. The rate of cognitive dysfunction in MS is in the range of 45-65% and adversely affect the quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of 1 year of treatment with interferon-beta-1b (IFNbeta-1b) on cognitive functions in patients suffering from relapsing-remitting MS.


METHODS
A battery of cognitive tests was used to assess verbal learning, delayed recall, visual learning and recall, complex attention, concentration and verbal fluency at baseline and after 1 year of treatment with IFNbeta-1b. A group of 23 relapsing-remitting MS patients matched for neurological disability served as controls.


RESULTS
Eighteen of 23 patients treated with IFNbeta-1b (74%) completed the study. In the IFNbeta-1b-treated group, complex attention, concentration as well as visual learning and recall improved significantly (p = 0.024, p = 0.006 and p = 0.005, respectively), while no deterioration was observed in the other dimensions. In the control group, complex attention, verbal fluency, as well as visual learning and recall deteriorated significantly (p = 0.02, p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively), while no deterioration was observed in the other dimensions.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunomodulating drugs that reduce the relapse rate and slow the disease progression also inhibit cognitive deterioration in patients with MS.
Barak
Yoram
Y
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. mdybarak@netvision.net.il
Achiron
Anat
A
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta