title: Cognitive impairment in relapsing remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients: efficacy of a computerized cognitive screening battery.
abstract: Objective. To investigate the pattern of cognitive impairment in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients using a computerized battery. Methods. RRMS patients (N = 50), SPMS patients (N = 30), and controls (N = 31) were assessed by Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) computerized battery, Trail Making Tests (TMT) A and B, and semantic and phonological verbal fluency tasks. Results. The overall prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 53.75% (RRMS 38%, SPMS 80%). RRMS patients differed from controls with large effect size on reaction time, medium effect size on TMT A and small on TMT B, phonological verbal fluency, composite memory, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility. SPMS patients differed from controls in all neuropsychological measures (except complex attention) with large effect sizes on TMT A and B, phonological verbal fluency, composite memory, psychomotor speed, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility. Between patient groups, medium effect sizes were present on TMT B and psychomotor speed, while small effect sizes were present on composite memory and processing speed. Conclusion. CNS VS is sensitive in detecting cognitive impairment in RRMS and SPMS patients. Significant impairment in episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed were identified, with gradual increment of the frequency as disease progresses.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Section, Department of Neurology, University of Patras Medical School, 265 04 Patras, Greece ; Department of Neurology, Essex Centre for Neurological Sciences, Queen's Hospital, Romford, RM70AG, UK.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papathanasiou
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Section, Department of Neurology, University of Patras Medical School, 265 04 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Lambros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Messinis
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Open University, 262 22 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasileios L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology Section, Department of Neurology, University of Patras Medical School, 265 04 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papathanasopoulos