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Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: natural history and impact on productive living

  • Cognitive Dysfunction in MS
  • Published:
The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Studies in which groups of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls of comparable age and education are compared reveal consistent impairments by the patient groups on test of anterograde explicit memory, controlled attentional processing, information processing speed, and abstract reasoning and problem solving. Vocabulary, naming and visual perception are less often affected. However, the extent of cognitive impairment for individual patients varies from none at all to global dementia. Both physical and cognitive impairment contribute equally to predicting employment status, but some patients with global cognitive impairment can continue to work effectively at mentally demanding professional jobs. Recently developed screening examinations could detect cognitive impairment early and permit interventions when they should be maximally effective. Three key issues in clinical neuropsychology are identified which have not been addressed by traditional neuropsychology. Italian neuropsychology, because of its unique characteristics, could lead in understanding these important questions.

Sommario

Studi di comparazione tra gruppi di pazienti affetti da sclerosi multipla (SM) e gruppi di controllo comparabili per etd e scolarità evidenziano deficit consistenti nei gruppi di pazienti nei test di memoria esplicita anterograda, nello sviluppo dell'attenzione controllata, nella velocit`a di processazione delle informazioni, nel ragionamento astratto, nella capacità di risoluzione dei problemi. Il vocabolario, la denominazione e la percezione visiva sono interessati in modo minore. Tuttavia, l'entità del deficit cognitivo varia nei singoli soggetti dall' assenza alla demenza globale. Sia il deficit fisico che cognitivo contribuiscono in pari misura nel predire lo stato lavorativo, ma alcuni pazienti con deficit cognitivo globale possono continuare a lavorare con efficienza in lavori professionali che richiedono un impegno mentale. Esami di screening recentemente sviluppati potrebbero riconoscere precocemente un deficit cognitivo e permettere interventi nel momento di loro massima efiicacia. Vengono identificati tre aspetti chiave della neuropsicologia che non hanno avuto il sufficiente interesse da par te della neuropsicologia tradizionale. La neuropsicologia italiana, per le sue caratteristiche uniche, potrebbe portare a una migliore conoscenza di questi importanti aspetti.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901, 73190, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    W. W. Beatty

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  1. W. W. Beatty
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Beatty, W.W. Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: natural history and impact on productive living. Ital J Neuro Sci 19 (Suppl 6), S381–S387 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539592

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