Information processing speed impairment and cerebellar dysfunction in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Aurélie Ruet; Delphine Hamel; Mathilde S A Deloire; Julie Charré-Morin; Aurore Saubusse; Bruno Brochet

doi:10.1016/j.jns.2014.10.008

Information processing speed impairment and cerebellar dysfunction in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

J Neurol Sci. 2014 Dec 15;347(1-2):246-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.10.008. Epub 2014 Oct 12.

Authors

Aurélie Ruet¹, Delphine Hamel², Mathilde S A Deloire¹, Julie Charré-Morin¹, Aurore Saubusse¹, Bruno Brochet³

Affiliations

¹ Service de Neurologie, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France.
² Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U862, Université de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; Translational Research and Advanced Imaging Laboratory (TRAIL) cluster of excellence, Université de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France.
³ Service de Neurologie, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; INSERM-CHU CIC-P 0005, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U862, Université de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France; Translational Research and Advanced Imaging Laboratory (TRAIL) cluster of excellence, Université de Bordeaux, F-33076 Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: bruno.brochet@chu-bordeaux.fr.

PMID: 25454642
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.10.008

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this work is to study the relationship between information processing speed (IPS) impairment and motor testing that reflects cerebellar function in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).

Methods: 60 persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with a mean disease duration of 4.2 ± 4 years were studied cross-sectionally. Motor cerebellar functioning was studied using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and the Kurtzke Functional Status Scales, and several cognitive domains were evaluated (IPS, working memory, episodic memory, attention, executive function). Correlations between the global NHPT score and neuropsychological test scores or impairment in each cognitive domain were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: The NHPT and a test of IPS significantly differentiated PwMS with and without cerebellar impairment. The NHPT total score was correlated with measures of IPS. Multivariate analyses showed a correlation between the NHPT and measures of IPS, but not between the NHPT and other neuropsychological tests that did not have a speed component.

Conclusion: In this sample of PwMS, motor cerebellar impairment assessed by the NHPT was correlated with IPS impairment.

Keywords: Cerebellum; Cognition; Information processing speed; Multiple sclerosis; Neuropsychology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Attention
Cerebellar Diseases / physiopathology*
Cognition
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term
Mental Processes*
Middle Aged
Motor Activity*
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / physiopathology*
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / psychology*
Neuropsychological Tests
Reaction Time*
Severity of Illness Index