Mobile Brain/Body Imaging of cognitive-motor impairment in multiple sclerosis: Deriving EEG-based neuro-markers during a dual-task walking study. Issue 5 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Sanctis, Pierfilippo; Malcolm, Brenda R.; Mabie, Peter C.; Francisco, Ana A.; Mowrey, Wenzhu B.; Joshi, Sonja; Molholm, Sophie; Foxe, John J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 131:Issue 5(2020:May)
• Page Start: 1119
• Page End: 1128
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- EEG -- Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) -- Dual-task walking; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.01.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Highlights: Dual-task walking closely captures real-world issues in multiple sclerosis. We used mobile/brain body imaging to study neurocognitive processes during ambulation. We found aberrant cortical activity underlying dual-task walking in multiple sclerosis. Abstract: Objective: Individuals with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) often present with cognitive and motor deficits, and thus the ability to perform tasks that rely on both domains may be particularly impaired. Yet, dual-task walking studies yield mixed results. Individual variance in the ability to cope with brain insult and mobilize additional brain resources may contribute to mixed findings. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we acquired event-related potentials (ERP) in individuals with MS and healthy controls (HCs) performing a Go/NoGo task while sitting (i.e., single task) or walking (i.e., dual-task) and looked at the relationship between task related modulation of the brain response and performance. Results: On the Go/NoGo task the MS group showed dual-task costs when walking, whereas HCs showed a dual-task benefit. Further, whereas the HC group showed modulation of the brain response as a function of task load, this was not the case in the MS group. Analysis for the pooled sample revealed a positive correlation between load-related ERP effects and dual-task performance. Conclusions: These data suggest a neurophysiological marker of cognitive-motor dysfunction in MS. Significance: Understanding neural processes underlying dual-task walking will help identify objective brain measurements of real-world issues and may improve assessment of MS.