Daniel Golan1, Glen M Doniger2, Karl Wissemann3, Myassar Zarif3, Barbara Bumstead3, Marijean Buhse4, Lori Fafard3, Idit Lavi5, Jeffrey Wilken6, Mark Gudesblatt3. 1. Department of Neurology, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel/The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. 2. Department of Clinical Research, NeuroTrax Corporation, Modiin, Israel/The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel/Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. 3. South Shore Neurologic Associates, Patchogue, NY, USA. 4. South Shore Neurologic Associates, Patchogue, NY, USA/Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York USA. 5. Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology, Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. 6. Washington Neuropsychology Research Group, Fairfax, VA, USA/Department of Neurology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The association between subjective cognitive fatigue and objective cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been studied, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of fatigue on cognitive function, while controlling for the influence of depression, disability, comorbidities, and psychotropic medications. METHODS: PwMS completed a computerized cognitive testing battery with age- and education-adjusted cognitive domain scores. Disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)), cognitive fatigue, and depression were concurrently evaluated. RESULTS: In all, 699 PwMS were included. Both cognitive fatigue and depression were significantly and negatively correlated with the same cognitive domains: information processing speed, executive function, attention, motor function, and memory (-0.15 ⩽ r ⩽ -0.14 for cognitive fatigue; -0.24 ⩽ r ⩽ -0.19 for depression). Multivariate analysis revealed significant but small independent correlations only between depression and neuropsychological test results, while cognitive fatigue had no independent correlation with objective cognitive function except for a trend toward impaired motor function in highly fatigued PwMS. Depression and cognitive fatigue accounted for no more than 6% of the variance in objective cognitive domain scores. CONCLUSION: Cognitive fatigue is not independently related to objective cognitive impairment. Depression may influence cognitive function of PwMS primarily when it is severe. Cognitive impairment in PwMS should not be ascribed to fatigue or mild depression.
BACKGROUND: The association between subjective cognitive fatigue and objective cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been studied, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of fatigue on cognitive function, while controlling for the influence of depression, disability, comorbidities, and psychotropic medications. METHODS: PwMS completed a computerized cognitive testing battery with age- and education-adjusted cognitive domain scores. Disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)), cognitive fatigue, and depression were concurrently evaluated. RESULTS: In all, 699 PwMS were included. Both cognitive fatigue and depression were significantly and negatively correlated with the same cognitive domains: information processing speed, executive function, attention, motor function, and memory (-0.15 ⩽ r ⩽ -0.14 for cognitive fatigue; -0.24 ⩽ r ⩽ -0.19 for depression). Multivariate analysis revealed significant but small independent correlations only between depression and neuropsychological test results, while cognitive fatigue had no independent correlation with objective cognitive function except for a trend toward impaired motor function in highly fatigued PwMS. Depression and cognitive fatigue accounted for no more than 6% of the variance in objective cognitive domain scores. CONCLUSION:Cognitive fatigue is not independently related to objective cognitive impairment. Depression may influence cognitive function of PwMS primarily when it is severe. Cognitive impairment in PwMS should not be ascribed to fatigue or mild depression.
Authors: Dejan Jakimovski; Ralph H B Benedict; Bianca Weinstock-Guttman; Osman Ozel; Tom A Fuchs; Norah Lincoff; Niels Bergsland; Michael G Dwyer; Robert Zivadinov Journal: J Neurol Date: 2021-02-15 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Curtis M Wojcik; Meghan Beier; Kathleen Costello; John DeLuca; Anthony Feinstein; Yael Goverover; Mark Gudesblatt; Michael Jaworski; Rosalind Kalb; Lori Kostich; Nicholas G LaRocca; Jonathan D Rodgers; Ralph Hb Benedict Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2019-10-22 Impact factor: 6.312