Importance of Examination of Cognitive Functions in Patients with Subcortical Dements in Multiple Sclerosis

Overview

The objective of the paper is to draw attention to the importance of neuropsychologicalassessment in subcortical dementia in multiple sclerosis which should comprise evaluation ofintelligence and memory, attention, learning ability, psychopathology of personality, extent ofdepression, evaluation of psychosocial aspects and quality of life. The author describes typicalcharacteristics of cognitive deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis and the most frequentlyused methods for its testing. Neuropsychological examination should be part of diagnosis andtherapy not only during the first attack of multiple sclerosis to assess the extent of the cognitivedeficit but also during the subsequent development of the disease in particular for monitoringthe further prognosis of the subcortical affection in diagnosis of subcortical dementia. Neuropsychologicalexamination is implemented by a specially trained psychologist-neuropsychologistand his conclusions are important not only for explanation of some behavioural changes ofthe patient in the course of the disease but also for the evaluation of the most recentpharmacotherapy of cognitive functions.

Key words:
neuropsychological assessment - cognitive ability - memory - multiple sclerosis subcortical dementia.