The Temporal Dynamics of Visual Processing in Multiple Sclerosis.
Although the integrity of the visual system is often affected in multiple sclerosis (MS), the potential relationship between the temporal dynamics of visual processing and performance on neuropsychological tests assessing processing speed (PS) remains relatively unexplored. Here, we test if a PS deficit is related to abnormalities within the visual system, rather than impaired higher-level cognitive function. Two groups of participants with MS (1 group with PS deficits and another without) and a healthy control group, matched for age and education, were included. To explore the temporal dynamics of visual processing, we used 2 psychophysical paradigms: attention enhancement/prioritization and rapid serial visual presentation. Visual PS deficits were associated with a decreased capability to detect visual stimuli and a higher limitation in visual temporal-processing capacity. These results suggest that a latent sensorial temporal limitation of the visual system is significantly associated to PS deficits in MS.
a Neuropsychophysiology Lab-CIPsi , University of Minho , Braga , Portugal.|b Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory , Kessler Foundation , West Orange , New Jersey.|c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark , New Jersey.
Silvana
S
Lopes Costa
a Neuropsychophysiology Lab-CIPsi , University of Minho , Braga , Portugal.|d Department of Applied Psychology , Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts.
Oscar F
OF
Gonçalves
b Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory , Kessler Foundation , West Orange , New Jersey.|c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark , New Jersey.|e Department of Neurology and Neurosciences , Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark , New Jersey.
John
J
DeLuca
b Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Laboratory , Kessler Foundation , West Orange , New Jersey.|c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Rutgers New Jersey Medical School , Newark , New Jersey.
Nancy
N
Chiaravalloti
f School of Psychology , University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , United Kingdom.
Ramakrishna
R
Chakravarthi
g Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.|h Proaction Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.
Jorge
J
Almeida
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011601:Psychophysics; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
Multiple sclerosis; processing speed; visual system