Indicators for cognitive performance and subjective cognitive complaints in multiple sclerosis: a role for advanced MRI?

Mult Scler. 2014 Jul;20(8):1131-4. doi: 10.1177/1352458513513969. Epub 2013 Nov 25.

Abstract

Previous studies showed that advanced neuroimaging measures (functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging) could distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without cognitive impairment. Are these measures indeed better indicators for cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive complaints than conventional MRI? Fifty MS patients and 29 controls were investigated. Regression analysis, including socio-demographic data, disease characteristics, psychological measures, and (advanced) neuroimaging, showed that worse cognitive performance was associated with male sex, lower education, and lower gray matter volume. Subjective cognitive complaints were associated with fatigue and less hippocampal atrophy. Advanced MRI measures did not add to the predictive power of our model.

Keywords: MRI; atrophy; cognition; multiple sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies