Cortical and Subcortical Markers of Cognitive lmpairment in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is seen frequently in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), with approximately 55-65% of patients with MS estimated to show evidence of these deficits. The pattern of cognitive decline in MS is similar to that in the subcortical dementias and related to the severity of the pathological process as detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cerebral white matter plaques are frequently evident early in the course of disease and are offen apparent before the onset of substantial disability. Poor neuropsychological performance has been correlated with total lesion load, atrophy of the corpus collosum, ventricular dilation and magnetization transfer ratio. The P300 latency is applied, as a neurphysiological index of cognitive function in order to quantify the level of mental impairment on dementine and demyelinating illness. It is correlated with the presence of demyelinative.