Volume 11, Issue 1 (Spring 2009)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2009, 11(1): 23-29 |
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Abstract: (2920 Views)
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the working memory of a group of relapsing-remitting MS patients, and to examine the relationship of this impairment to MRI parameters.
methods: This case-control prospective study was conducted in a clinical setting. 34 patients suffering from relapsing-remitting MS who were selected using goal oriented sampling, as well as 52 normal individuals, were examined using Luria-Nebraska Memory Scale (LNMS) to evaluate the function of the frontal lobe. MRI was performed using T2-weighted images.
Results: All MS patients (without severe depressive state according to Beck Depression Scale) exhibited significant impairments in all memory variables (verbal-nonverbal, and all aspects of working memory) in comparison with the control group (normal individuals). No correlation was found between the performance in frontal test (working memory) and the presence of lesions in frontal white matter. Similar performance was correlated with lesions in non-frontal white matter.
Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate working memory impairments in patients with MS. The findings indicated that specific cognitive abnormalities in MS have multifactorial etiologies, which are not adequately explained by pathology as demonstrated on MRI. In other words, in MS, overall macroscopic and microscopic brain damage is more important than the corresponding focal brain disease, in determining deficits of selective cognitive domains.
methods: This case-control prospective study was conducted in a clinical setting. 34 patients suffering from relapsing-remitting MS who were selected using goal oriented sampling, as well as 52 normal individuals, were examined using Luria-Nebraska Memory Scale (LNMS) to evaluate the function of the frontal lobe. MRI was performed using T2-weighted images.
Results: All MS patients (without severe depressive state according to Beck Depression Scale) exhibited significant impairments in all memory variables (verbal-nonverbal, and all aspects of working memory) in comparison with the control group (normal individuals). No correlation was found between the performance in frontal test (working memory) and the presence of lesions in frontal white matter. Similar performance was correlated with lesions in non-frontal white matter.
Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate working memory impairments in patients with MS. The findings indicated that specific cognitive abnormalities in MS have multifactorial etiologies, which are not adequately explained by pathology as demonstrated on MRI. In other words, in MS, overall macroscopic and microscopic brain damage is more important than the corresponding focal brain disease, in determining deficits of selective cognitive domains.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2008/11/21 | Accepted: 2009/01/20 | Published: 2009/03/21
Received: 2008/11/21 | Accepted: 2009/01/20 | Published: 2009/03/21
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