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Cognition in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Consequences May Be Relative to Working Memory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2013

Lindsay I. Berrigan ,
Jo-Anne LeFevre ,
Laura M. Rees ,
Jason Berard ,
Mark S. Freedman  and
Lisa A.S. Walker
Lindsay I. Berrigan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Jo-Anne LeFevre
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Laura M. Rees
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Neuropsychology Service, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Jason Berard
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Mark S. Freedman
Affiliation:
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Lisa A.S. Walker
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Neuropsychology Service, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Lindsay I. Berrigan, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, 5909 Veterans’ Memorial Lane, 8th floor, Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building, QEII Health Sciences Center, Halifax, NS, B3 H 2E2. E-mail: lberrigan@dal.ca
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Abstract

The Relative Consequence Model proposes multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have a fundamental deficit in processing speed that compromises other cognitive functions. The present study examined the mediating role of processing speed, as well as working memory, in the MS-related effects on other cognitive functions for early relapsing-remitting patients. Seventy relapsing-remitting MS patients with disease duration not greater than 10 years and 72 controls completed tasks assessing processing speed, working memory, learning, and executive functioning. The possible mediating roles of speed and working memory in the MS-related effects on other cognitive functions were evaluated using structural equation modeling. Processing speed was not significantly related to group membership and could not have a mediating role. Working memory was related to group membership and functioned as a mediating/intervening factor. The results do not support the Relative Consequence Model in this sample and they challenge the notion that working memory impairment only emerges at later disease stages. The results do support a mediating/intervening role of working memory. These results were obtained for early relapsing-remitting MS patients and should not be generalized to the broader MS population. Instead, future research should examine the relations that exist at other disease stages. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–12)

Keywords

Multiple sclerosisCognitive functioningInformation processing speedWorking memory
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 19 , Issue 8 , September 2013 , pp. 938 - 949
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2013 

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