title: Dual-task assessment in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To study the 1-year evolution of quantitative dual-task gait parameters in comparison with single-task gait parameters and detailed neuropsychological assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with natalizumab.
  
  
  METHODS
  Walking speed, stride length and stride time during a dual task (walking while forward counting, backward counting, semantic fluency, and phonemic fluency), a single walking task, and a detailed neuropsychological assessment were prospectively measured and assessed twice at the 1-year interval in 9 consecutive patients with MS treated with natalizumab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dual-task-related gait changes (walking speed, stride length and stride time while performing semantic fluency and walking speed, and stride time while performing phonemic fluency) showed a significant improvement after 1 year of treatment with natalizumab. The single walking task and detailed neuropsychological assessment did not present any modification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dual-task-related gait changes using a cognitive task with a specific executive demand represent an interesting marker of disease-modifying therapy in patients with MS.
authors: Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Allali
authors: Magali
authors: M
authors: Laidet
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Assal
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Chofflon
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Armand
authors: Patrice H
authors: PH
authors: Lalive
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D000069442:Natalizumab; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069442:Natalizumab