title: Longitudinal evaluation of cognitive functioning in pediatric multiple sclerosis: report from the US Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Network.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately one-third of those with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive impairment. Less is known concerning their change in cognitive functioning over time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Changes in cognitive function over time were measured in the largest pediatric cohort to date through the US Network of Pediatric MS Centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 67 individuals with pediatric MS (n=62) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS, n=5), ranging from 8-17 years of age (mean age ± standard deviation (SD)=14.37 ± 2.02) completed initial and follow-up neuropsychological testing after an average of 1.64 ± 0.63 years apart. The nine tests administered measure general intellect, attention and working memory, verbal memory, visuomotor integration, language, and executive functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rate of impairment (having one-third or more scores in the impaired range) was 37% at baseline and 33% at follow-up. Tests commonly impaired were measures of visuomotor integration, speeded processing, and attention. Most tested did not decline over two years. There was no clear pattern of change on any specific measure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that, over short timeframes, stable or even improved performances on measures of cognitive ability can occur. Pediatric MS may instead prevent expected age-related cognitive gains.
authors.affiliation: Lourie Center for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Stony Brook Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Charvet
authors.affiliation: Partners Pediatric MS Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.affiliation: Lourie Center for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Stony Brook Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Belman
authors.affiliation: Partners Pediatric MS Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chitnis
authors.affiliation: Center for Pediatric-Onset Demyelinating Disease, Children's Hospital of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.affiliation: Pediatric MS Center, University at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parrish
authors.affiliation: Pediatric MS Center, Mayo Clinic, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Pediatric MS Center, Mayo Clinic, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Regional Pediatric MS Center, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Waubant
authors.affiliation: Pediatric MS Center, University at Buffalo, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weinstock-Guttman
authors.affiliation: Stony Brook Medicine Lourie Center for Pediatric MS, Department of Neurology, Stony Brook, NY, USA lauren.krupp@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Krupp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D014481:United States
keywords: Pediatric; cognition; cognitive impairment; longitudinal study; multiple sclerosis