April 22, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Learning to manage cognitive impairment with multiple sclerosis Upon commencing my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, I pursued a major in prehealth neuroscience. I had decided to pursue this degree shortly after my diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisĀ in 2016, during my senior year of high school. My hope in choosing the…
January 5, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD More cognitive fatigue reported by patients with MS, brain injury Adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) or traumatic brain injury report more cognitive fatigue, or exhaustion resulting from mental work, than do healthy individuals ā regardless of the nature of the tasks being performed ā a study found. However, cognitive fatigue built up at a similar rate among study participants…
September 2, 2022 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Combining Biomarkers May Help to Predict Cognitive Impairment in MS Combining blood and imaging biomarkers might help clinicians better predict cognitive impairment in people with early multiple sclerosis (MS) than using either one alone, a new study suggests. Researchers found that using the two together worked better to predict information processing speed than did either blood or MRI biomarkers…
May 6, 2022 Columns by Jamie Hughes We Have to Make the Effort to Care Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is hard. I know this is hardly a revelation, especially to those of us who struggle with it on the daily, but I felt like it needed to be said. I was scanning through articles on this site recently, seeing what my fellow…
April 29, 2022 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Survey Results Show Impact of MS in All Aspects of Life Multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) affects all aspects of life, from physical and mental health to relationships, and from work and finances to hobbies and holidays, according to results from an online survey conducted by the U.K.ās MS Trust. Most respondents said they wanted more support to manage their fatigue, improve…
December 2, 2021 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Early Cognitive Difficulties in Study Low vitamin D levels in the bloodstream are associated with slower information processing speeds in people withĀ early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS), a study suggests. āOur data support the hypothesis that vitamin D is involved in cognition in MS,ā its researchers concluded. The study, āSerum Vitamin D as…
October 14, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS #ECTRIMS2021 ā Brain Lesions Help Predict Long-term Disability Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the virtual 37th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), Oct. 13ā15. GoĀ here to see the latest stories from the…
September 29, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Cognitive Rehab ‘Effective, Low-risk’ in Treating Difficulties Due to MS Cognitive rehabilitation is an effective therapy for cognitive problems brought on by multiple sclerosis (MS), a review study highlights. “Clinicians should consider this low-cost, low-risk, yet effective treatment approach for their patients,” its researchers wrote. The study, “Neurological update: cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis,” was published…
June 16, 2021 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Stopping Cannabis Aids Cognition in MS, But Not Awareness of Gains People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may not be entirely aware of the decline in their cognitive abilities with cannabis use, which may explain why many choose to continue with it, a small study in patients who are long-term cannabis users reported. The study, āImpaired awareness: Why people with…
March 4, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #ACTRIMS2021 – Cognitive, Without Physical, Disability Growing Concern in MS Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25ā27. GoĀ hereĀ to see the latest stories from the conference. Cognitive impairment without physical disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) may grow in prevalence as newer therapies better control…
December 7, 2020 News by Forest Ray PhD MS-Specific Cognitive Rehabilitation Tool Shows Promise in Pilot Study A multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific computerized cognitive rehabilitation (CR) program led to significant improvements in mental skills among MS patients participating in a recent pilot study. These findings suggest that those with MS, and likely other disorders, might gain the greatest benefits from tailored cognitive tests that are specifically adapted…
December 4, 2020 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Review Study Examines Factors That Affect MS Patients’ Quality of Life Disability, fatigue, depression, cognitive impairment, and unemployment are primary risk factors for a poor quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent review study. Conversely, higher self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support were identified as protective factors for quality of life (QoL).
November 25, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Tablet-based Video Game Could Help Measure Cognitive Impairment in MS, Study Shows People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have cognitive defects that cannot be detected using conventional paper-and-pen tests but that can be assessed with computer-based tests, a new study shows. The findings also indicate that people with MS may be more susceptible to cognitive impairment when the brain has to addressĀ increased…
November 18, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Software Platform May Allow for Automated MS Cognitive Testing A software platform, called CogniSoft, allows for automated assessments of cognitive health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The platform was described in the study “CogniSoft: A Platform for the Automation of Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis,” published in the journalĀ Computers. Cognitive impairment…
September 16, 2020 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD #MSVirtual2020 – Cognitive Problems in Children With MS Can Persist Into Adulthood Cognitive problems can persist into adulthood in people whose multiple sclerosis (MS) began in childhood or adolescence, and are linked to neurological issues and delays in treatment initiation, a study reports. Early use ofĀ disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and of approaches designed to preserve cognition should be encouraged for pediatric…
June 24, 2020 News by Vanessa Pataia Psychosis, Cognitive Difficulties May Be First Symptoms of RRMS, Case Report Indicates Psychosis and cognitive difficulties may be initial symptoms of relapsingāremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a case report says. āA case report revealing acute onset psychosis and cognitive impairment as primary manifestation in relapsingāremitting multiple sclerosisā was published in the journal…
June 22, 2020 News by Steve Bryson, PhD More Research Needed Into How Exercise, Rehab Aid Cognition in MS Cognitive problems are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) but inadequately addressed by disease-modifying therapies, whileĀ cognitive rehabilitation and exercise training programs can be effective, a review study reported.Ā Research studies of exercise programs need to include larger groups of patients with demonstrated cognitive difficulties, however, and more pharmacological…
November 26, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Problems Processing Sensory Information Linked to MS Severity, Difficulties in Daily Life, Study Finds People with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā both with and without cognitive impairments ā have trouble processing sensory information, which is linked to greater disease severity and difficulties in daily life, a study reveals. The study is one of the first to look at the consequences of sensory processing deficits…
November 15, 2019 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Depression, Fatigue Influence Health-related Quality of Life More Than Physical Impairment of MS, Study Reveals Depression and fatigue have a more powerful influence on the overall health-related quality of life, compared to physical impairment, among patients with multiple sclerosis, a new study shows. The study, āContributing factors to healthārelated quality of life in multiple sclerosis,ā was published in the journal Brain and…
October 28, 2019 Columns by Ed Tobias MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Cognitive Impairment, Genetic Variant Risk Factor, Protein Biomarkers, Gilenya Study Higher Intellectual Ability, Early-life Physical Activity May Protect Against Cognitive Impairment in MS, Study Suggests The finding that physical activity provides a protective effect for cognitive abilities makes sense to me. I recently listened to a webinar discussing brain atrophy, which has a direct relationship with cognitive impairment, and…
October 25, 2019 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Higher Intellectual Ability, Early-life Physical Activity May Protect Against Cognitive Impairment in MS, Study Suggests Higher intellectual ability and physical activity during childhood and adolescence may help protect against the development of cognitive impairment in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), an Italian study suggests. These findings, though preliminary, suggest that intellectual enrichment and early-life physical activity may reduce the likelihood of developing cognitive deficits…
June 27, 2019 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Progressive MS Patients Have Difficulties Perceiving Thoughts, Intentions of Others, Study Reveals Patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have difficulties perceiving the thoughts and intentions, but not the emotions, of other individuals, Kessler Foundation researchers have found. Those findings were reported in a study, “Cognitive but Not Affective Theory of Mind Deficits in Progressive MS,” that was published in…
June 20, 2019 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Childhood MS Linked to Greater Cognitive Impairment in Adulthood, Study Finds People with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) have a greater decline in cognitive function, and are more likely to experience cognitive impairment in adulthood, than those whose disease began when they were adults, a study reports. The study, “Long-term Cognitive Outcomes in Patients With Pediatric-Onset vs Adult-Onset…
March 28, 2019 Columns by Tamara Sellman Need to Know: What Exactly Is Cognition? Editor’s note: “Need to Know” is a series inspired by common forum questions and comments from readers. Have a comment or question about MS? Visit our forum. This week’s question is inspired by the forum topic “What do you do to help strengthen your cognitive abilities?” from…
February 11, 2019 News by Jonathan Grinstein Social Cognition Issues Linked to Damage in Specific Brain Region in RRMS Patients, Study Shows Issues with social cognition can occur inĀ relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients even without the presence of cognitive impairment, and are related to damage in a specific brain region known as the amygdala, a study reports. The study, āSocial cognition deficits and the role of…
August 13, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Kessler Foundation Scientist Receives NMSS Grant to Study Information Processing Speed in MS Patients Kessler Foundation scientist Silvana Costa, PhD, was awarded a $477,000 grant from theĀ National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS)Ā to explore the effects of visual, cognitive, and motor deficits on information processing speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Costa is an associate research scientist in neuropsychology and neuroscience research.
January 18, 2018 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Excessive Salt Consumption Leads to Cognitive Impairment, MS Mouse Study Shows New research shows how a high-salt diet leads to excessive levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, causing changes in endothelial cells that result in dementia. These findings suggest that therapeutics targeting IL-17 may help halt the neurovascular damages of MS and other autoimmune diseases linked to high…
November 27, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD French Study Links Silent Brain Lesions to Cognitive Decline in Early-stage RRMS So-called silent brain lesions in patients with early-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may, in fact, not be silent at all, according to a French study that linked such lesions to cognitive decline in early MS. This link has likely been missed since the major tool for measuring disability in MS…
September 13, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Cognitive Impairment Worse Among PPMS Than RRMS Patients, German Study Finds Patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis have more severe cognitive impairment than those with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, according to a German study that analyzed published data on the topic. PPMS patients did especially poorly on verbal learning and verbal memory tests, said the study, which suggested that PPMS patients need disease management that specifically focuses on their cognitive difficulties, which do not necessarily correlate with the degree of overall disability. The study gathered data from 47 previously published studies in an attempt to analyze potential differences in cognitive performance between patients with RRMS and PPMS. These studies included 4,460 patients ā 3,456 with RRMS and 1,004 with PPMS ā and plenty of information about patient and disease features. This allowed researchers to perform a meta-analysis of pooled data from various studies, that is considered the highest level of scientific evidence. Researchers noted that PPMS patients performed worse on cognitive tests, both when considering global scores and tests of specific cognitive domains. Yet both groups scored similarly in levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue. Using statistical analyses, the research team found that differences in sex, education, disease duration, manual dexterity and fatigue could not explain the poorer test results among PPMS patients. On the other hand, PPMS patients were, on average, older than those with relapsing disease, and the team found that this difference accounted for poorer test results in cognitive tests of processing speed and working memory. Yet differences in other cognitive aspects also remained when researchers took age into account. Differences in disability, measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, could also not explain why PPMS patients performed worse on the cognitive tests. A detailed look revealed that the largest differences between RRMS and PPMS patients were in verbal learning and verbal memory, along with the age-associated difference in processing speed. Depression and anxiety also brought down processing speed, researchers said, even though the two groups did not differ in their levels of anxiety and depression. The data shows that cognitive impairment in MS is not directly related to the course of the disease. Research may explain differences in other factors including genetics, the degree of brain tissue loss and medications.
February 2, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Computer-assisted Therapy Found to Benefit MS Patients with Cognitive Difficulties Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who are showing signs of cognitive impairment mayĀ benefit from computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation programs, according to a new study. Difficulties with short-term memory, or withĀ processing informationĀ and concentrating, are believed toĀ affect 40% to 65% of MS patients.Ā Studies have suggested that cognitive rehabilitation may help, and thatĀ computer-assisted therapy used…