Cognitive Assessment in Human Multiple Sclerosis
In a study involving 37 MS patients, results showed that those with progressive MS had significantly lower cognitive scores than those with relapsing MS after about 4.2 years of follow-up. The mean score differences were notable on three cognitive tests, but changes over time within each group were not significant.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
These findings indicate that patients with progressive MS may experience greater cognitive decline compared to those with relapsing MS, highlighting the need for tailored cognitive assessments in MS care.
What this does not prove
The study had a small sample size and was conducted at a single center, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Additionally, non-significant findings suggest that more research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 37 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-24
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceCognitive level and rate of change in relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis: a single-center retrospective cohort study in Japan. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2026.579112
Supporting passages (8)
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-24
study designPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsCognitive level and rate of change in relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis: a single-center retrospective cohort study in Japan.
sample size37 patients with MS underwent serial assessment
randomizedLinear mixed-effects models included random intercepts and slopes and were adjusted for baseline age, sex, education, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score; time was mean-centered.
findingsRESULTS: At baseline, 26 patients had relapsing and 11 had progressive disease. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years. The progressive group scored lower than the relapsing group: SDMT, -14.18 points (95% confidence interval [CI]: -25.00, -3.35); MoCA-J, -3.25 (-5.65, -0.85); FAB, -1.80 (-3.18, -0.43). Phenotype-by-time interactions were non-significant (SDMT: -0.87 points per year [95% CI: -2.03, 0.29]; MoCA-J: -0.24 [-0.54, 0.06]; FAB: -0.14 [-0.35, 0.08]).
limitationsTitle: Cognitive level and rate of change in relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis: a single-center retrospective cohort study in Japan.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
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