Contributions
Abstract: EP1383
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Background: Psychotropic medications can potentially impact cognitive performance. MS consequences can impact mood, but MS can also directly impact both cognition and/or mood. Regardless of whether mood is a consequence of disease or disability, psychotropic medications are frequently prescribed. Limited data objectifies the degree/pattern that psychotropic medications impact cognitive performance in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).
Aim: To explore the association between the chronic use of psychotropic medications and cognitive function in PwMS.
Methods: PwMS completed a standardized validated computerized cognitive assessment battery (NeuroTrax) with analysis of age-and education-adjusted individual cognitive domain scores and a global cognitive (average) summary score (GCS). Use of chronic psychotropic medications were uniformly recorded and PwMS were requested not to take these within 6 hours prior to testing. Depression was evaluated (Beck Depression Inventory). Analysis of covariance determined the effect of each psychotropic medication on cognitive scores, while controlling for the impact of other medications, depression, cardiovascular risk factors, thyroid disorder and EDSS.
Results: 699 PwMS were evaluated [Female: 526 (75%), EDSS 2.7±2, Education years: 14.5±2.7]. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, stimulants (modafinil, methylphenidate, amphetamine-salts, amantadine), anticonvulsants, spasmolytics, opioids, fampridine, anticholinergics and 5HT-antagonists were used by 296 (42%), 141 (20%), 94 (13%), 94 (13%), 91 (13%), 70 (10%), 22 (3%), 20 (3%), and 16 (2%) patients, respectively. Use of anticonvulsants, anticholinergics and 5HT antagonists was independently associated with decreased global cognitive scores, but effect sizes were miniscule [P=0.005, 0.02 and < 0.001, partial Eta2= 0.01, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The number of impaired cognitive domains (>1SD below age-education average) was slightly, but significantly higher with these medications. Other medications (including antidepressants, stimulants) had no significant impact on objective cognitive scores.
Conclusion: As long as chronic psychotropic medications are not taken in the 6 hours prior to testing, they do not substantially interfere with NeuroTrax cognitive assessments of PwMS.
Disclosure:
Glen M. Doniger is an employee of NeuroTrax corporation.
All other authors have nothing to disclose.
Abstract: EP1383
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - 7 MS symptoms
Background: Psychotropic medications can potentially impact cognitive performance. MS consequences can impact mood, but MS can also directly impact both cognition and/or mood. Regardless of whether mood is a consequence of disease or disability, psychotropic medications are frequently prescribed. Limited data objectifies the degree/pattern that psychotropic medications impact cognitive performance in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).
Aim: To explore the association between the chronic use of psychotropic medications and cognitive function in PwMS.
Methods: PwMS completed a standardized validated computerized cognitive assessment battery (NeuroTrax) with analysis of age-and education-adjusted individual cognitive domain scores and a global cognitive (average) summary score (GCS). Use of chronic psychotropic medications were uniformly recorded and PwMS were requested not to take these within 6 hours prior to testing. Depression was evaluated (Beck Depression Inventory). Analysis of covariance determined the effect of each psychotropic medication on cognitive scores, while controlling for the impact of other medications, depression, cardiovascular risk factors, thyroid disorder and EDSS.
Results: 699 PwMS were evaluated [Female: 526 (75%), EDSS 2.7±2, Education years: 14.5±2.7]. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, stimulants (modafinil, methylphenidate, amphetamine-salts, amantadine), anticonvulsants, spasmolytics, opioids, fampridine, anticholinergics and 5HT-antagonists were used by 296 (42%), 141 (20%), 94 (13%), 94 (13%), 91 (13%), 70 (10%), 22 (3%), 20 (3%), and 16 (2%) patients, respectively. Use of anticonvulsants, anticholinergics and 5HT antagonists was independently associated with decreased global cognitive scores, but effect sizes were miniscule [P=0.005, 0.02 and < 0.001, partial Eta2= 0.01, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The number of impaired cognitive domains (>1SD below age-education average) was slightly, but significantly higher with these medications. Other medications (including antidepressants, stimulants) had no significant impact on objective cognitive scores.
Conclusion: As long as chronic psychotropic medications are not taken in the 6 hours prior to testing, they do not substantially interfere with NeuroTrax cognitive assessments of PwMS.
Disclosure:
Glen M. Doniger is an employee of NeuroTrax corporation.
All other authors have nothing to disclose.