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Neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis

An overview

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Abstract

Neuropsychological dysfunctions have been well documented in patients with multiple sclerosis. We herein give an overview of the main findings of recent decades. The pros and cons of considering the cognitive deficits of multiple sclerosis patients as a form of ‘subcortical dementia’ are discussed. By comparing the neuropsychological descriptions of multiple sclerosis patients as given in the literature to other neurological diseases which are also associated with neuropsychological deficiencies, we propose the term ‘multiple disconnection syndrome’ to describe the variety of neuropsychological deficits encountered in this demyelinating disease. Furthermore, a ‘ threshold of cerebral tolerance’ is assumed which must be crossed before cognitive dysfunctions are manifested clinically.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Neurology, Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Neuropsychology Unit, Ruhr-University Bochum, In der Schornau 23–25, 44892, Bochum, Germany

    Pasquale Calabrese Ph. D., M. D. habil.

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  1. Pasquale Calabrese Ph. D., M. D. habil.
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Correspondence to Pasquale Calabrese Ph. D., M. D. habil..

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Calabrese, P. Neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 253 (Suppl 1), i10–i15 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-006-1103-1

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