title: The effect of natalizumab on cognitive function in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: preliminary results of a 1-year follow-up study.
abstract: The objective of the study was to assess the natalizumab effect on the course of cognitive impairment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with active relapsing-remitting MS (n = 17) were treated with natalizumab for 1 year. The quasi control group included patients (n = 7) with clinically stable MS. Assessment of disease course [expanded disability status scale (EDSS); number of relapses] and neuropsychological impairment [Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST); controlled oral word associations; verbal/non-verbal memory tests; paced auditory serial addition test] was conducted at baseline and after 1 year. Natalizumab-treated patients experienced significantly fewer relapses compared with the previous year (P < 0.05). At 1-year follow-up, EDSS score was unchanged and neuropsychological assessments of memory/executive functions showed a significant improvement in natalizumab-treated patients (all P < 0.05). No changes were observed in the quasi control group. This preliminary study suggests that natalizumab could be effective in ameliorating cognitive functions in patients with active relapsing-remitting MS, over 1-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuropsychology Unit, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Via Nikolajewka, 13, 25123, Brescia, Italy. flaviacaterina.mattioli@gmail.com
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stampatori
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications*; D000069442:Natalizumab; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab