Cognitive correlates of under-ambiguity and under-risk decision making in high-functioning patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Our results suggest that high-functioning patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis are substantially capable of making advantageous decisions, even if they may be slower in processing options and shifting strategy when selection criteria are not explicit.

Decision-making under explicit risk is impaired in multiple sclerosis: relationships with ventricular width and disease disability

“…To our knowledge, decision-making under explicit risk in MS-patients has been assessed in four studies, two also using the GDT [ 23 , 25 ] and two using the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT [ 27 , 28 ]). The CGT is a timed task and, although MS patients were not substantially impaired in the CGT, their decision deliberation times were slowed in Simioni et al [ 28 ].…”

“…However, GDT performance has not been related to processing speed in non-MS samples [ 16 , 29 ], and since the GDT is untimed, it seems unlikely that slowed processing speed could directly affect GDT performance. Furthermore, comparing the three MS cohorts studied with the GDT so far (our study, [ 23 ], [ 25 ]), it appears that potential MS-related GDT-deficits should be viewed in light of the disease course and cognitive deficits. Intact GDT performance in our RR-1 patients and in the RR-MS patients of Cogo et al [ 25 ] contrasted GDT impairment reported by Farez et al [ 23 ].…”

“…Furthermore, comparing the three MS cohorts studied with the GDT so far (our study, [ 23 ], [ 25 ]), it appears that potential MS-related GDT-deficits should be viewed in light of the disease course and cognitive deficits. Intact GDT performance in our RR-1 patients and in the RR-MS patients of Cogo et al [ 25 ] contrasted GDT impairment reported by Farez et al [ 23 ]. Cogo et al’s patients were cognitively intact, our RR-1 group was only impaired in verbal memory, and Farez et al’s sample was impaired in processing speed, visual memory, and verbal fluency.…”

“…Patients’ GDT performance was related to processing speed and visual memory performance [ 23 ]. Conversely, Cogo and others (2014) [ 25 ] found 60 relapsing-remitting MS patients with minimal disability (mean EDSS = 1.4) but longer disease duration (mean = 40.8 months) unimpaired on the GDT. In their study, GDT performance in MS patients was unrelated to other cognitive functions.…”

A Systematic Review of Discrete-Choice Experiments and Conjoint Analysis Studies in People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…For example, they need to consider how much negative impact from side effects on quality of life and daily routine is acceptable in order to potentially slow down accrual of disability several years later. Moreover, many PwMS experience effects on cognition of their disease [12][13][14][15][16], which may impact on their ability to give considered responses in surveys.…”