TY - JOUR
T1 - Memory Impairment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Using a Challenging Semantic Interference Task
AU - Matias-Guiu, Jordi A.
AU - Cortés-Martínez, Ana
AU - Curiel, Rosie E.
AU - Delgado-Álvarez, Alfonso
AU - Fernández-Oliveira, Aníbal
AU - Pytel, Vanesa
AU - Montero, Paloma
AU - Moreno-Ramos, Teresa
AU - Loewenstein, David A.
AU - Matías-Guiu, Jorge
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2020 Matias-Guiu, Cortés-Martínez, Curiel, Delgado-Álvarez, Fernández-Oliveira, Pytel, Montero, Moreno-Ramos, Loewenstein and Matías-Guiu.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/4/21
Y1 - 2020/4/21
N2 - Objective: Episodic memory is frequently impaired in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but the cognitive characteristics and neuropsychological processes involved remain controversial. Our aim was to study episodic memory dysfunction in MS, using the LASSI-L, a novel memory-based cognitive stress test that uses a new paradigm that capitalizes on semantic interference. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which 93 patients with MS (relapsing-remitting) and 124 healthy controls were included. The LASSI-L test was administered to all participants, as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including a selective reminding test. MS patients were divided into two groups, with cognitive impairment (CI-MS) and cognitively preserved (CP-MS). Results: Reliability of the LASSI-L test was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.892) and there were less ceiling effects. MS patients scored lower than controls on all LASSI-L subtests, except for maximum storage of the initial target items (CRA2). Effect sizes were moderate-large. A delay in learning, difficulties in retroactive semantic interference, failure to recover from proactive semantic interference, and delayed recall were the most frequent findings in MS patients. Scores associated with maximum storage capacity, and retroactive semantic interference were the most strongly associated with cognitive impairment and employment status. Conclusion: We found that deficits in maximum learning, difficulties in recovery from the effects of proactive semantic interference and retroactive semantic interference are three important breakdowns in episodic memory deficits among patients with MS. The LASSI-L showed good psychometric and diagnostic properties. Overall, our study supports the utility of the LASSI-L, as a new cognitive test, useful for neuropsychological assessment in MS in clinical and research settings.
AB - Objective: Episodic memory is frequently impaired in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but the cognitive characteristics and neuropsychological processes involved remain controversial. Our aim was to study episodic memory dysfunction in MS, using the LASSI-L, a novel memory-based cognitive stress test that uses a new paradigm that capitalizes on semantic interference. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which 93 patients with MS (relapsing-remitting) and 124 healthy controls were included. The LASSI-L test was administered to all participants, as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including a selective reminding test. MS patients were divided into two groups, with cognitive impairment (CI-MS) and cognitively preserved (CP-MS). Results: Reliability of the LASSI-L test was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.892) and there were less ceiling effects. MS patients scored lower than controls on all LASSI-L subtests, except for maximum storage of the initial target items (CRA2). Effect sizes were moderate-large. A delay in learning, difficulties in retroactive semantic interference, failure to recover from proactive semantic interference, and delayed recall were the most frequent findings in MS patients. Scores associated with maximum storage capacity, and retroactive semantic interference were the most strongly associated with cognitive impairment and employment status. Conclusion: We found that deficits in maximum learning, difficulties in recovery from the effects of proactive semantic interference and retroactive semantic interference are three important breakdowns in episodic memory deficits among patients with MS. The LASSI-L showed good psychometric and diagnostic properties. Overall, our study supports the utility of the LASSI-L, as a new cognitive test, useful for neuropsychological assessment in MS in clinical and research settings.
KW - memory
KW - multiple sclerosis
KW - neuropsychological assessment
KW - proactive interference
KW - semantic
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U2 - 10.3389/fneur.2020.00309
DO - 10.3389/fneur.2020.00309
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85084252034
VL - 11
JO - Frontiers in Neurology
JF - Frontiers in Neurology
SN - 1664-2295
M1 - 309
ER -