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EEG correlates of cognitive impairment in MS

  • Cognitive Dysfunction in MS
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Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a frequent complication of multiple sclerosis (MS), generally reflecting subcortical dementia. In order to explore functional cortico-cortical connections in MS, we studied electroencephalogram (EEG) coherence in a group of 21 clinically defined MS patients. Patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological examinations. Compared to unimpaired MS patients, cognitively involved patients had reduced short-distance and long-distance theta and alpha band coherencies. Anteroposterior and interhemispheric coherencies were significantly correlated with MRI lesion load immediately underlying cortex but not were exclusively associated with periventricular lesions. These data support the hypothesis that cognitive impairment in MS is mostly related to demyelination or axonal loss of cortico-cortical connections. In a second study, we evaluated the neurophysiological correlates of frontal lobe dysfunction. Frontal lobes are also involved in motor planning and execution. We evaluated the EEG movement-related potential (MRP) in MS patients with and without frontal neuropsychological deficits. Reaction times to the Stroop test, which evaluates frontal functions, and MRP components were delayed in both MS groups compared to normal subjects and in frontal compared to nonfrontal MS patients. These data suggest that frontal cognitive involvement in MS corresponds to abnormal bioelectrical activity also during simple motor tasks.

Sommario

Il coinvolgimento cognitivo è una frequente complicanza della sclerosi multipla (SM), generalmente come demenza sottocorticale. Al fine di valutare le connessioni funzionali cortico-corticali nella SM, abbiamo studiato la coerenza dell'elettroencefalogramma (EEG) in un gruppo di 21 pazienti con SM clinicamente deftnita. I pazienti sono stati inoltre sottoposti a risonanza magnetica (RM) e valutazione neuropsicologica. I pazienti con deficit cognitivi presentavano, rispetto ai pazienti senza deficit, una riduzione della coerenza di banda alfa e theta, nelle derivazioni a breve e a lunga distanza. La coerenza anteroposteriore ed interemisferica era significativamente correlata col cortco lesionale RM immediatamente sottostante la corteccia e non con le lesioni periventricolari. Questi dati supportano l'ipotesi the il coinvolgimento cognitivo nella sclerosi multipla sia principalmente correlato a demielinizzazione o perdita assonale delle connessioni cortico-corticali. In un altro studio abbiamo valutato i correaaai neuropsicologici dei deficit frontali. I lobi frontali hanno un ruolo fondamentale nella programmazione ed esecuzione del movimento. Abbiamo valutato il potenziale movimento-correlato (MRP) in pazienti SM con e senza deficit frontali. Il tempo di reazione manuale al test di Stroop, the valuta le funzioni esecutive, e le componenti del MRP erano ritardate in entrambi i gruppi di pazienti rispetto ai soggetti normali e nei pazienti frontali rispetto ai non frontali. Questi dati suggeriscono the il coinvolgimento cognitivo frontale nella SM corrisponde a un'alterazione dell'attività bioelettrica anche durante un compito motorio semplice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, MS Centre Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 48, I-20132, Milano, Italy

    L. Leocani, T. Locatelli & G. Comi

  2. Department of Neurology, MS Centre Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy

    G. Magnani, V. Martinelli, M. Rovaris, M. Filippi, M. Falautano, G. Santuccio & F. Possa

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  1. L. Leocani
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  2. G. Magnani
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  3. T. Locatelli
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  4. V. Martinelli
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  5. M. Rovaris
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  6. M. Filippi
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  7. M. Falautano
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  8. G. Santuccio
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  9. F. Possa
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  10. G. Comi
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Leocani, L., Magnani, G., Locatelli, T. et al. EEG correlates of cognitive impairment in MS. Ital J Neuro Sci 19 (Suppl 6), S413–S417 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539598

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