Contributions
Abstract: EP1531
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Introduction: Over half of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience neurocognitive dysfunction, which contributes to significantly diminished quality of life and loss of employment. Traditional neuropsychological tests that are validated in individuals with MS, like the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS), require in-person testing and thereby lead to multiple barriers for research participants and patients. In contrast, the Many Brains Project (MBP) is an alternative, open-source, web-based cognitive battery that can overcome these obstacles. The MBP offers two tests of processing speed: the Digit Symbol Coding (DSC), which is similar to the BICAMS' Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); and the Forced Choice (FC), a reaction time measure.
Objective: To assess the concurrent validity of the DSC and FC processing speed tests with oral and written versions of the SDMT.
Methods: Data from 19 participants with MS were collected as preliminary data for a larger ongoing study of individuals with MS and health controls. Participants completed a series of neuropsychological tests in-person, including the SDMT (oral and written versions) from the BICAMS, and the computerized DSC and FC processing speed tests from the MBP battery. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated between each version of SDMT and each of the two MBP processing speed tests (DSC and FC). Significant correlations were followed by paired-sample t-tests. Bland-Altman plots were constructed at the 95% confidence interval to assess agreement between the SDMT and MBP measures.
Results. Strong, significant correlations demonstrated concurrent validity between the DSC and both versions of the SDMT (oral: r = .85, p < .001; written: r = .82, p < .001). Correlations were not significant between the FC and either version of the SDMT (oral: r = .23, p = .35; written: r = .07, p = .77). Paired sample t tests demonstrated no significant differences between the DSC and either version of the SDMT (all ps > .05). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated excellent agreement between the DSC and each version of the SDMT.
Conclusion. Preliminary findings suggest that the DSC subtest of the MBP online battery is comparable to the SDMT. Future research may consider using the DSC as an alternative to the SDMT, especially for remote, web-based studies.
Disclosure: Jagriti "Jackie" Bhattarai: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).
Abbey J. Hughes: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).
Meghan Beier: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).
Abstract: EP1531
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Introduction: Over half of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience neurocognitive dysfunction, which contributes to significantly diminished quality of life and loss of employment. Traditional neuropsychological tests that are validated in individuals with MS, like the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS), require in-person testing and thereby lead to multiple barriers for research participants and patients. In contrast, the Many Brains Project (MBP) is an alternative, open-source, web-based cognitive battery that can overcome these obstacles. The MBP offers two tests of processing speed: the Digit Symbol Coding (DSC), which is similar to the BICAMS' Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); and the Forced Choice (FC), a reaction time measure.
Objective: To assess the concurrent validity of the DSC and FC processing speed tests with oral and written versions of the SDMT.
Methods: Data from 19 participants with MS were collected as preliminary data for a larger ongoing study of individuals with MS and health controls. Participants completed a series of neuropsychological tests in-person, including the SDMT (oral and written versions) from the BICAMS, and the computerized DSC and FC processing speed tests from the MBP battery. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated between each version of SDMT and each of the two MBP processing speed tests (DSC and FC). Significant correlations were followed by paired-sample t-tests. Bland-Altman plots were constructed at the 95% confidence interval to assess agreement between the SDMT and MBP measures.
Results. Strong, significant correlations demonstrated concurrent validity between the DSC and both versions of the SDMT (oral: r = .85, p < .001; written: r = .82, p < .001). Correlations were not significant between the FC and either version of the SDMT (oral: r = .23, p = .35; written: r = .07, p = .77). Paired sample t tests demonstrated no significant differences between the DSC and either version of the SDMT (all ps > .05). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated excellent agreement between the DSC and each version of the SDMT.
Conclusion. Preliminary findings suggest that the DSC subtest of the MBP online battery is comparable to the SDMT. Future research may consider using the DSC as an alternative to the SDMT, especially for remote, web-based studies.
Disclosure: Jagriti "Jackie" Bhattarai: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).
Abbey J. Hughes: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).
Meghan Beier: I do not have any actual or potential conflicts of interest with our funding agencies, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Grants MB 0032 [PI: Beier], PP-1609-25972 [PI: Beier]) and the National Institutes of Health (Grant K23HD086154 [PI: Hughes]).