Cognitive impairment in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis is detected by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis and computerized cognitive testing

Abstract

Background:

Cognitive impairment is a common and troubling feature of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). Brief cognitive assessment in the outpatient setting can identify and longitudinally monitor cognitive involvement so that early intervention is possible.

Objectives:

The goal of this study was to measure the sensitivity of two cognitive assessment approaches that are brief, repeatable, and suitable for clinical practice and for multicenter investigation.

Methods:

Participants with POMS (n = 69) were consecutively evaluated as part of outpatient neurologic visits and compared to healthy control participants (HC, n = 66) using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) approach and timed information processing measures from Cogstate, a computer-based assessment.

Results:

There was strong agreement in the detection rate of impairment between both assessments, with 26% for the BICAMS and 27% for Cogstate. Two of the Cogstate tasks were the most sensitive individual measures.

Conclusion:

Both the BICAMS and Cogstate timed processing measures offer practical, sensitive, and standardized approaches for cognitive screening assessment in POMS.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis pediatric multiple sclerosis cognition BICAMS Cogstate

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