Abstract
BackgroundCognitive impairment is a common feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and occurs in 60% of all cases. Unfortunately, neurological examination does not always agree with the neuropsychological evaluation in determining the cognitive profile of the patient. On the other hand, psychophysiological techniques such as event-related potentials (ERPs) can help in evaluating cognitive impairment in different pathologies.Behavioural responses and EEG signals were recorded during the experiment in three experimental groups: 1) a relapsing-remitting group (RRMS), 2) a benign multiple sclerosis group (BMS) and 3) a Control group. The paradigm employed was a spatial attention task with central cues (Posner experiment). The main aim was to observe the differences in the performance (behavioural variables) and in the latency and amplitude of the ERP components among these groups.ResultsOur data indicate that both MS groups showed poorer task performance (longer reaction times and lower percentage of correct responses), a latency delay for the N1 and P300 component, and a different amplitude for the frontal N1. Moreover, the deficit in the BMS group, indexed by behavioural and pyschophysiological variables, was more pronounced compared to the RRMS group.ConclusionThe present results suggest a cognitive impairment in the information processing in all of these patients. Comparing both pathological groups, cognitive impairment was more accentuated in the BMS group compared to the RMSS group. This suggests a silent deterioration of cognitive skills for the BMS that is not usually treated with pharmacological or neuropsychological therapy.
Highlights
Cognitive impairment is a common feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and occurs in 60% of all cases
The Response times (RTs) of the valid cue condition were statistically significantly shorter compared to the invalid ones, showing a facilitated visuo-motor processing when attention is directed to the validly cued position (F [1, 42] = 37.148, p < 0.001)
This facilitation was present for the Control and the RRMS group (F [2, 42] = 4.450, p < 0.018), the Control group shows a higher difference between those conditions (34 ms) than the RRMS group (18 ms)
Summary
Cognitive impairment is a common feature in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and occurs in 60% of all cases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in which early symptoms can appear in young adults between 20 and 40 years old. This condition damages the myelin shield of neurons in the brain, spinal cord and optical nerves. Most MS patients present a clinical course in which exacerbations and remissions occur (85–90%). If this pattern is established, MS is classified as MS relapsing-remitting form (RRMS). A 20% of patients show a benign course (BMS) of the clinical condition (see [1,2,3,4,5,6] for reviews)
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