Cognitive impairment in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis is detected by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis and computerized cognitive testing.
Cognitive impairment is a common and troubling feature of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). Brief cognitive assessment in the outpatient setting can identify and longitudinally monitor cognitive involvement so that early intervention is possible.



The goal of this study was to measure the sensitivity of two cognitive assessment approaches that are brief, repeatable, and suitable for clinical practice and for multicenter investigation.



Participants with POMS ( n = 69) were consecutively evaluated as part of outpatient neurologic visits and compared to healthy control participants (HC, n = 66) using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) approach and timed information processing measures from Cogstate, a computer-based assessment.



There was strong agreement in the detection rate of impairment between both assessments, with 26% for the BICAMS and 27% for Cogstate. Two of the Cogstate tasks were the most sensitive individual measures.



Both the BICAMS and Cogstate timed processing measures offer practical, sensitive, and standardized approaches for cognitive screening assessment in POMS.
Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Leigh E
LE
Charvet
Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Michael
M
Shaw
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
Ariana
A
Frontario
Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK.
Dawn
D
Langdon
Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Lauren B
LB
Krupp
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003201:Computers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult
BICAMS; Cogstate; Multiple sclerosis; cognition; pediatric multiple sclerosis