title: Diagnostics of cognitive dysfunctions in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Cognitive dysfunctions are frequent symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Up to 65% of MS patients suffer from cognitive dysfunctions. Especially memory, attention and executive functions are impaired. These problems strongly affect the patients' ability to work and their quality of life (QoL). A differentiating diagnostic effort is necessary to control fatigue and depression. Screening tools alone can not provide a detailed description of all cognitive domains. Therefore, an elaborated neuropsychological diagnostics is necessary. This report provides a description of cognitive functions and its diagnostic opportunities, especially in MS patients. After displaying aspects of differential diagnostics, a recommendation for a diagnostic work schedule is given.
authors.affiliation: University of Rostock, Department of Neurology, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany. claudia_engel@web.de
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Greim
authors.forename: Uwe K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Zettl
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests