Neurológia pre prax 3/2009

Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

Cognitive function impairment is common in patients with multiple sclerosis. Particularly affected are attention, speed of processing of information, and short-term memory. The cognitive deficits adversely affect social relations as well as quality of life and are the most common cause of job loss. The severity of the cognitive deficits correlates with the pathology seen on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (lesion extent, atrophy). Mostly mild forms are encountered, dementia is rare. Cognitive dysfunction may occur very early in the course of the disease and does not correlate with the physical impairment or the duration of the disease. The therapeutic options are discussed.

Keywords: cognitive dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, magnetic resonance imaging, neurodegeneration, PASAT, SDMT, interferon beta, glatiramer acetate.