title: Alerting network dysfunction in early multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The objective of this study is to assess attention in recently diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. Twenty-seven patients with early multiple sclerosis and low clinical disability scores (EDSS<2) and 27 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent attention assessment using the Attentional Network Test, a computerized task designed to measure efficiency independently in 3 attentional networks (Alerting, Orienting and Executive Control). MS patients had significantly less efficiency in the Alerting network (p = .006). In contrast, in the Orienting and Executive Control networks, they did not differ from controls. A significant interaction between Alerting and Executive Control was also found in the MS patients (p = .007). Early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis particularly affects the Alerting domain of attention, whereas the Orienting and Executive Control domains are not affected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Raúl Carrea Institute for Neurological Research, FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crivelli
authors.forename: Mauricio F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Farez
authors.forename: Claudio D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiol
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amengual
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leiguarda
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Correale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004522:Educational Status; D056344:Executive Function; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology