Is speed of processing or working memory the primary information processing deficit in multiple sclerosis?
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether processing speed or working memory is the primary information processing deficit in persons with MS.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Hospital-based specialty clinic.


METHODS
215 adults with clinically definite MS.


METHODS
Mean demographically corrected T-scores, prevalence rates of impairment and relative risk of impaired Processing Speed and Working Memory Index Scores from the WAIS-WMS III.


RESULTS
Deficits in Processing Speed were much more common than Working Memory in all comparisons. This was observed for both relapsing remitting (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) subjects, but accentuated in the latter group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results strongly suggest that the primary information processing deficit in persons with MS is in speed of processing.
DeLuca
John
J
Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA. jdeluca@kmrrec.org
Chelune
Gordon J
GJ
Tulsky
David S
DS
Lengenfelder
Jean
J
Chiaravalloti
Nancy D
ND
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data