Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate event-related potentials (ERP) and cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with regard to fatigue and disease-related variables. The study comprised 86 MS patients and 40 controls. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS/FSS-5) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS/MFISmod). N200 and P300 components of auditory ERP were analyzed. Cognition was evaluated by means of Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRBNT). The results of ERP and BRBNT were compared between non-fatigued, moderately and severely fatigued MS patients and controls. P300 latency was significantly longer in the whole MS group and in the fatigued patients than in the controls. A positive correlation was found between P300 latency and MFIS/MFISmod results, independent from age and MS-related variables. The fatigued patients scored less than non-fatigued ones in tests evaluating memory, visuomotor abilities and attention. Results of these tests correlated significantly with fatigue measures, independently from MS-related variables. Fatigue in MS patients showed significant relationships with impairment within the memory and attention domains. Parameters of auditory ERP, as electrophysiological biomarkers of cognitive performance, were not independently linked to fatigue.
Highlights
Fatigue is a common complaint among the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which essentially affects their condition and daily activities
In the assessment of cognition in MS patients, complementary to the neuropsychological tests, event-related potentials (ERP) have been used, with parameters of N200 and P300 components regarded as an electrophysiological index of cognitive functions [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]
There were no significant differences in age and gender between these subgroups, or between each of them and healthy controls (Table 1)
Summary
Fatigue is a common complaint among the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which essentially affects their condition and daily activities. We aimed to analyze in the same group of patients possible relationships between fatigue and cognitive impairment, another non-physical aspect of MS-related disability receiving increasing attention in recent years. These relationships have already been studied but still remain a matter of debate [2,3,4,5]. In the assessment of cognition in MS patients, complementary to the neuropsychological tests, event-related potentials (ERP) have been used, with parameters of N200 and P300 components regarded as an electrophysiological index of cognitive functions [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Apart from individual reports [14, 15] ERP parameters have not been investigated in the view of fatigue in the course of MS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
