Using the wechsler memory scale-revised to detect and characterize memory deficits in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Abstract The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and measures of word-finding, vocabulary, and depression were administered to 45 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and to 25 age-, sex-, and education-matched normal controls. MS patients performed significantly more poorly as a group than did normal controls on all five WMS-R indexes, demonstrating the sensitivity of the WMS-R to memory impairment in MS. Three subgroups of MS patients with different levels and patterns of WMS-R performance were identified using cluster analysis. One subgroup (20%) exhibited marked global impairment in attention/short-term memory, learning, and long-term memory. Another subgroup (56%) had intact attention/short-term memory but displayed milder deficits in learning and long-term memory. Performance of the remaining 24% was intact. There was suggestive evidence that relapsing/progressive MS patients were more likely than others to be globally impaired, but extent of impairment was not related to other demograph...