Early neuropsychological markers of cognitive involvement in multiple sclerosis

Background Cognitive impairment due to multiple sclerosis (MS) is common and often limits occupational functioning, contributes disability, reduces quality of life. Early detection cognitive involvement in MS critical for treatment planning intervention, frequent, regular monitoring may provide insight into subtle changes disease progression. Objective To compare the sensitivity specificity clinical, computer-based experimental measures early MS. Methods functioning was compared participants course matched healthy controls using conventional, functional assessments: Brief International Assessment (BICAMS); Cogstate Battery (CBB); Attention Network Test-Interaction (ANT-I), including intra-individual variability; Test Everyday Ability (TECA), a measure instrumental activities daily living. Results (n = 25, mean duration= 5.82 ± 3.65 years) demographically 29) completed assessments. The choice reaction time (AUC 0.73, p .004), variability on ANT-I 0.79, .001), TECA 0.78, .001) scores were most sensitive specific markers Conclusions Brief, repeatable, detect associated involvement.