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Cognitive abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: a psychometric and MRI study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

M. A. Ron ,
M. M. Callanan  and
E. K. Warrington
M. A. Ron*
Affiliation:
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery: and Institute of Neurology, London
M. M. Callanan
Affiliation:
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery: and Institute of Neurology, London
E. K. Warrington
Affiliation:
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery: and Institute of Neurology, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr M. A. Ron, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WCIN 3BG.
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Synopsis

This study reports the cognitive abnormalities of a group of 58 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS). The psychometric functions measured were: ‘IQ deficit’, verbal and visual memory, abstracting ability, visual and auditory attention and naming ability. The presence of brain pathology was investigated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A group of 46 physically disabled controls without significant brain disease was used for comparison. Normative MRI data were obtained from a groulp of 40 normal volunteers. The psychometric performance of the MS group was compared to the previously reported findings in patients with clinically isolated syndromes.

MS patients had widespread cognitive deficits sparing naming ability and affecting verbal memory less severely than other intellectual functions. The overall performance on psychometric tests was related to the severity of the MRI abnormalities and to the duration of the illness, but was not significantly influenced by the presence of psychiatric morbidity or the degree of physical disability. Patients with clinically isolated syndromes occupied an intermediate position between MS patients and disabled controls in terms cognitive and MRI abnormalities.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 1991 , pp. 59 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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