Abstract
BackgroundThe Stroop test is frequently used to assess deficits in inhibitory control in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This test has limitations and antisaccade eye movements, that also measure inhibitory control, may be an alternative to Stroop.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was twofold: (i) to investigate if the performance in the antisaccade task is altered in patients with MS and (ii) to investigate the correlation between performances in neuropsychological tests, the Stroop test and the antisaccade task.MethodsWe measured antisaccades (AS) parameters with an infrared eye tracker (SMIRED 250 Hz) using a standard AS paradigm. A total of 38 subjects diagnosed with MS and 38 age and gender matched controls participated in this study. Neuropsychological measures were obtained from the MS group.ResultsPatients with MS have higher error rates and prolonged latency than controls in the antisaccade task. There was a consistent association between the Stroop performance and AS latency. Stroop performance but not AS latency was associated with other neuropsychological measures in which the MS group showed deficits.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that AS may be a selective and independent measure to investigate inhibitory control in patients with MS. More studies are necessary to confirm our results and to describe brain correlates associated with impaired performance in the antisaccade task in people diagnosed with MS.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease producing inflammation of the central nervous system characterised by loss of oligodendrocytes and axonal degeneration (Keegan & Noseworthy, 2002)
Some studies looked at cross-sectional (Fielding et al, 2009) and longitudinal alterations (Fielding et al, 2012) in AS performance in people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)
That is, the ability to suppress prepotent but incorrect responses, are expected in people diagnosed with MS
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease producing inflammation of the central nervous system characterised by loss of oligodendrocytes and axonal degeneration (Keegan & Noseworthy, 2002). Performance on this task is correlated with neuropsychological tests of executive functions in multiple neurodegenerative diseases (Heuer et al, 2013; Hutton, 2008). The Stroop test is frequently used to assess deficits in inhibitory control in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This test has limitations and antisaccade eye movements, that measure inhibitory control, may be an alternative to Stroop. Stroop performance but not AS latency was associated with other neuropsychological measures in which the MS group showed deficits.
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