Cognition in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A prospective multicentre study of 217 patients (CogniNMO-Study). (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hümmert, Martin W; Stern, Carlotta; Paul, Friedemann; Duchow, Ankelien; Bellmann-Strobl, Judith; Ayzenberg, Ilya; Schwake, Carolin; Kleiter, Ingo; Hellwig, Kerstin; Jarius, Sven; Wildemann, Brigitte; Senel, Makbule; Berthele, Achim; Giglhuber, Katrin; Luessi, Felix; Grothe, Matthias; Klotz, Luisa; Schülke, Rasmus; Gingele, Stefan; Faiss, Jürgen H; Walter, Annette; Warnke, Clemens; Then Bergh, Florian; Aktas, Orhan; Ringelstein, Marius; Stellmann, Jan-Patrick; Häußler, Vivien; Havla, Joachim; Pellkofer, Hannah; Kümpfel, Tania; Kopp, Bruno; Trebst, Corinna;
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 29:Number 7(2023)
• Page Start: 819
• Page End: 831
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders -- neuroimmunology -- cognition -- cognitive neuropsychology; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/13524585231151212
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: There is limited and inconsistent information on the prevalence of cognitive impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Objective: To assess cognitive performance and changes over time in NMOSD. Methods: This study included data from 217 aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive (80%) and double-seronegative NMOSD patients. Cognitive functions measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial-Addition Task (PASAT), and/or Multiple Sclerosis Inventory Cognition (MuSIC) were standardized against normative data ( N = 157). Intraindividual cognitive performance at 1- and 2-year follow-up was analyzed. Cognitive test scores were correlated with demographic and clinical variables and assessed with a multiple linear regression model. Results: NMOSD patients were impaired in SDMT ( p = 0.007), MuSIC semantic fluency ( p < 0.001), and MuSIC congruent speed ( p < 0.001). No significant cognitive deterioration was found at follow-up. SDMT scores were related to motor and visual disability ( p Bon < 0.05). No differences were found between aquaporin-4-IgG-seropositive and double-seronegative NMOSD. Conclusions: A subset of NMOSD patients shows impairment in visual processing speed and in semantic fluency regardless of serostatus, without noticeable changes during a 2-year observation period. Neuropsychological measurements should be adapted to physical and visual disabilities.