Effect of Multiple Sclerosis Disability Status on Cognitive Functions

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory, demyelinating autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies and immune cells destroying the myelin sheath. A prevalent and incapacitating symptom of all MS patient profiles is cognitive impairment.Objectives: To assess cognitive functions in Multiple Sclerosis patients, and analyze the association between cognitive affection and its relation with disease severity and disease duration.Methods: In this study, sixty adult MS patients participated. Each participant underwent a comprehensive medical history, a basic audiological assessment, the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), event related potentials P300, mini mental state examination (MMSE) and symbol digit modality test (SDMT).Results: The Multiple Sclerosis patients group had lower MMSE, SDMT scores, longer P300 latencies and decreased P300 amplitudes when compared to controls. Significant correlations were observed between MMSE, P300 latency, P300 amplitude and the EDSS scores.Conclusions: Most of Multiple Sclerosis patients have poor cognitive abilities. Findings of the present study reveal the deteriorating effect of Multiple Sclerosis on cognition..