Contributions
Abstract: EP1540
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cognitive impairment and deficits in social cognition (SC) have been reported to affect a highly variable percentage of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, SC has not been thoroughly explored in the initial stages of the disease.
Objectives: To study different components of SC including theory of mind, empathy and emotion recognition in patients with early MS.
Methods: Patients were recruited from the outpatient MS clinic at the Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research (FLENI) by attending neurologists. Thirty-four relapsing-remitting MS patients, fulfilling 2017 McDonald criteria, with ≤ 2 years disease duration and scores ≤2 on EDSS, were included. Thirty subjects matched for age, gender, and educational level, recruited from a local volunteer group, served as controls. Both groups underwent complete neuropsychological evaluation (Rao BRB). Social Cognition was assessed using the International Affective Picture System (emotional processing), The Mind in the Eyes Test the Empathy Quotient, and the Faux Pas Test. Neuropsychiatric scales were also administered (HADS, Apathy Evaluation Scale).
Results: Groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, educational level or in the neuropsychiatric scales that assessed depression, anxiety and apathy. Patients showed significant deficits in cognitive tests of verbal memory, executive functions and language (Rao BRB). Social cognition assessment showed that patients presented greater difficulties in Reading the Mind in the eyes tests; p = 0.014), in the detection of socially inappropriate behaviors (Faux Pas Test p= 0.009) and a positive bias was observed in the interpretation of neutral images in the emotional reactivity test (IAPS p = 0.023). No differences were observed in the Empathy Quotient performance.
Conclusions: Patients with early MS present disorders in cognitive functions and social cognition. Social cognition deficits are an important component of cognitive functioning and must be taken into account in early MS patients. They have strong impact on social functioning and quality of life. Future research is needed to study the longitudinal course of these disorders.
Disclosure: Lucía Crivelli: nothing to disclose. Ismael L Calandri: nothing to disclose. Belen Helou: nothing to disclose. Laura Negrotto: nothing to disclose. Ricardo F. Allegri: nothing to disclose. María C. Ysrraelit: nothing to disclose. Marcela Fiol: nothing to disclose. Jorge Correale: nothing to disclose.
Abstract: EP1540
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Neuropsychology
Background: Cognitive impairment and deficits in social cognition (SC) have been reported to affect a highly variable percentage of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, SC has not been thoroughly explored in the initial stages of the disease.
Objectives: To study different components of SC including theory of mind, empathy and emotion recognition in patients with early MS.
Methods: Patients were recruited from the outpatient MS clinic at the Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research (FLENI) by attending neurologists. Thirty-four relapsing-remitting MS patients, fulfilling 2017 McDonald criteria, with ≤ 2 years disease duration and scores ≤2 on EDSS, were included. Thirty subjects matched for age, gender, and educational level, recruited from a local volunteer group, served as controls. Both groups underwent complete neuropsychological evaluation (Rao BRB). Social Cognition was assessed using the International Affective Picture System (emotional processing), The Mind in the Eyes Test the Empathy Quotient, and the Faux Pas Test. Neuropsychiatric scales were also administered (HADS, Apathy Evaluation Scale).
Results: Groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, educational level or in the neuropsychiatric scales that assessed depression, anxiety and apathy. Patients showed significant deficits in cognitive tests of verbal memory, executive functions and language (Rao BRB). Social cognition assessment showed that patients presented greater difficulties in Reading the Mind in the eyes tests; p = 0.014), in the detection of socially inappropriate behaviors (Faux Pas Test p= 0.009) and a positive bias was observed in the interpretation of neutral images in the emotional reactivity test (IAPS p = 0.023). No differences were observed in the Empathy Quotient performance.
Conclusions: Patients with early MS present disorders in cognitive functions and social cognition. Social cognition deficits are an important component of cognitive functioning and must be taken into account in early MS patients. They have strong impact on social functioning and quality of life. Future research is needed to study the longitudinal course of these disorders.
Disclosure: Lucía Crivelli: nothing to disclose. Ismael L Calandri: nothing to disclose. Belen Helou: nothing to disclose. Laura Negrotto: nothing to disclose. Ricardo F. Allegri: nothing to disclose. María C. Ysrraelit: nothing to disclose. Marcela Fiol: nothing to disclose. Jorge Correale: nothing to disclose.