title: Cognitive processess and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, which can occur independently. While MS is traditionally considered an inflammatory disease of the white matter, degeneration of gray matter is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to the progressive cognitive decline. A protective factor against the progression of cognitive dysfunction in MS could be the cognitive reserve, defined as resistance to brain dysfunction. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of cognitive reserve for different aspects of cognitive dysfunction of patients with MS. We found that patients with MS and lower cognitive reserve have poorer neuropsychological performance and slower information speed processing. These findings support the notion that intellectual reserve may protect some aspects of cognitive function in patients with MS.
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chillemi
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scalera
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terranova
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calamuneri
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buccafusca
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dattola
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruschetta
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Girlanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Messina School of Medicine, Messina, Italy; Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, City University of New York Medical School, New York, USA; Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Centro "Bonino Pulejo", Messina, Italy. Email:aquartar@unime.it.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quartarone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D058245:Cognitive Reserve; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology