Neuropsychological Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis

  1. T. Wollmann 1
  1. 1 Unidad de Neuropsicología. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de la Laguna
Revista:
Revista de Neurología

ISSN: 1576-6578 0210-0010

Año de publicación: 2000

Volumen: 30

Número: 10

Páginas: 985-988

Tipo: Artículo

Otras publicaciones en: Revista de Neurología

Resumen

Over the past 20 years great advances have been made in understanding the neuropsychologicalchanges in multiple sclerosis. In this paper we review the nature of mental deterioration in multiple sclerosis and theprocedures used for its evaluation. Development. First we give a short summary of present knowledge of the involvement ofdifferent functions and the instruments most generally used to evaluate it. We then consider the different approaches toneuropsychological assessment, the use of broad guidelines as opposed to screening techniques, bearing in mind theiradvantages and disadvantages in the clinical field and in investigation. Similarly we mention the current trends in theevaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Conclusions. The general profile of neuropsychological alterations in multiplesclerosis is characterized by the presence of changes in secondary memory and speed of thought, although the nature of thisdefect is still not clear. Changes are also seen in other neuropsychological functions, although less frequently and morecontroversially. Our knowledge of the prevalence of these changes comes from the use of guidelines for thorough examination.However, the current tendency is to seek instruments for evaluation which combine diagnostic efficiency, clinical usefulnessand brevity. In this respect, although progress is being made, there are still questions to be answered.

Referencias bibliográficas

  • 1. Rao SM, Leo GJ, Bernardin L, Unverzagt F. Cognitive disfunction in multiple sclerosis. I. Frequency, patterns and prediction. Neurology 1991; 41: 685-91.
  • 2. Heaton RK, Nelson LM, Thompson DS, Burks JS, Franklin GM. Neuropsychological findings in relapsing-remitting and chronic-progressive multiple sclerosis. J Consult Clin Psychology 1985; 53: 103-10.
  • 3. Klonoff H, Clark C, Oger J, Paty D, Li D. Neuropsychological performance in patients with mild multiple sclerosis. J Nerv Ment Dis 1991; 179: 127-31.
  • 4. Rao SM. Neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis: a critical review. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 1996; 8: 503-42.
  • 5. Beatty WW, Paul RH, Wilbanks SL, Hames KA, Blanco CR, Goodkin DE. Identifying multiple sclerosis patients with mild or global cognitive impairment using the screening examination for cognitive impairment (SEFCI). Neurology 1995; 45: 718-23.
  • 6. Amato MP, Ponziani G, Pracucci G, Bracco L, Siracusa G, Amaduci L. Cognitive impairment in early-onset multiple sclerosis. Pattern, predictors, and impact on everyday life in a 4-year follow-up. Arch Neurol 1995; 52: 168-72.
  • 7. Jansen DA, Cimprich B. Attentional impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Neurosci Nurs 1994; 26: 95-102.
  • 8. Litvan I, Grafman J, Vendrell P, Martínez JM. Slowed information processing in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol 1988; 45: 281-5.
  • 9. Deluca J, Barbieri-Berger S, Johnson SK. The nature of memory impairments in multiple sclerosis: acquisition versus retrieval. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 1994; 16: 183-9.
  • 10. Jennekens-Schinkel A, Sanders EACM, Lanser JBK, van der Velde EA. Reaction time in ambulant multiple sclerosis patients. II. Influence of task complexity. J Neurol Sci 1988; 85: 187-96.
  • 11. Rao SM, Grafman J, Digiulio D, Mittenberg W, Bernardin L, Leo GJ, et al. Memory dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: its relation to working memory, semantic encoding, and implicit learning. Neuropsychology 1993; 7: 364-74.
  • 12. Grigsby J, Ayarbe SD, Kravcisin N, Busenbark D. Working memory impairment among persons with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 1994; 241: 125-31.
  • 13. Litvan I, Grafman J, Vendrell P, Martínez JM, Junqué C, Vendrell JM, et al. Multiple memory deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis. Exploring the working memory system. Arch Neurol 1988b; 45: 607-10.
  • 14. Olivares T, Wollmann T, Hernández MA, Camacho J, Barroso J, Nieto A. Velocidad de procesamiento y memoria en un grupo de pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente-recidivante. Neurologia 1996; 11: 149.
  • 15. Beatty WW, Goodkin DE, Monson N, Beatty PA. Cognitive disturbances in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol 1989; 46: 1113-9.
  • 16. Rao SM, Bernardin L, Leo GJ, Ellington L, Ryan SB, Burg LS. Cerebral disconnection in multiple sclerosis relationship to atrophy of the corpus callosum. Arch Neurol 1989; 46: 918-20.
  • 17. Schnider A, Benson F, Rosner LJ. Callosal disconnection in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1993; 43: 1243-5.
  • 18. Basso MR, Beason-Hazen S, Lynn J, Rammomohan K, Bornstein RA. Screening for cognitive disfunction in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol 1996; 53: 980-4.
  • 19. Rudick R, Antel J, Convafreux C, Cutter G, Ellison G, Fischer J, et al. Recommendation from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Outcomes Assessment Task Force. Ann Neurol 1997; 42: 379-82.