The relationship between executive functions and fluid intelligence in multiple sclerosis

Goitia, Belén; Bruno, Diana; Abrevaya, Sofía; Sedeño, Lucas; Ibáñez, Agustín; Manes, Facundo; Sigman, Mariano; Sinay, Vladimiro; Torralva, Teresa; Duncan, John; Roca, María

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0231868

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Due to the substantial heterogeneity of assessments that were used to quantify cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression, as well as insufficient data, we were not able to integrate the variable cognition, as well as depression for cToM(faux-pas) and fatigue for cTom(videos). In the analysis on cToM(faux-pas), that included three studies 27 , 29 , 37 , R 2 was 100% (meaning 100% of the difference in true effect sizes can be explained by the predictor fatigue), and the intercept as well as the predictor fatigue were significant (intercept: − 1.73 ( p < 0.001), fatigue: 0.02 ( p < 0.05)). This means that performance on cTom (faux-pas) decreased with higher fatigue levels.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis

Roheger,

Grothe,

Hasselberg

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Socio-cognitive impairment is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about the relationship between other potentially relevant clinical symptoms (i.e., cognition, depression, fatigue) and the degree of socio-cognitive impairment, and neural mechanisms underlying socio-cognitive deficits in MS. Therefore, we meta-analytically quantified socio-cognitive impairment in MS. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL, and PsycInfo was conducted until December 2022. Studies investigating affective or cognitive theory of mind (a/cToM), visual perspective taking (VPT) and social decision making (SDM) in MS patients relative to healthy controls were included. Risk-of-bias (RoB) was assessed using the CLARITY group “Tool for Assessing RoB in Cohort Studies”. Mediation analysis investigated the contribution of clinical symptoms to socio-cognitive impairment. In total, n = 8534 studies were screened, 58 were included in the systematic review, 27 in the meta-analyses. Most studies were rated with a moderate RoB. Meta-analyses confirmed impairment of both aToM and cToM in MS patients, with larger effect sizes for aToM. Mediation analysis demonstrated that higher levels of fatigue selectively predicted the degree of cToM impairment. There was insufficient data available to quantify impairment in other socio-cognitive domains. Fourteen structural and functional imaging studies were identified and characterized by substantial heterogeneity. Summarized, this study confirmed substantial socio-cognitive impairment in MS and highlights the potential exacerbating role of comorbid clinical symptoms. We identify several evidence gaps that need to be addressed in future large-scale studies using comprehensive and coordinated assessments of socio-cognitive parameters, potential mediators, and neural correlates.Trial registration: The pre-registered review protocol can be assessed at www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ (ID: CRD42020206225).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis

Roheger,

Grothe,

Hasselberg

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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“…This latter finding has also been reported in MS and could play a role in altering executive deficits. 49…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This latter finding has also been reported in MS and could play a role in altering executive deficits. 49 To our knowledge, only one study has investigated functional connectivity in RIS patients. 17 In that study, 17 no differences in functional brain connectivity were found between RIS subjects and healthy controls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abnormal functional connectivity in radiologically isolated syndrome: A resting-state fMRI study

Benito-León,

del Pino,

Aladro

et al. 2023

Mult Scler

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Background: Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) patients might have psychiatric and cognitive deficits, which suggests an involvement of major resting-state functional networks. Notwithstanding, very little is known about the neural networks involved in RIS. Objective: To examine functional connectivity differences between RIS and healthy controls using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: Resting-state fMRI data in 25 RIS patients and 28 healthy controls were analyzed using an independent component analysis; in addition, seed-based correlation analysis was used to obtain more information about specific differences in the functional connectivity of resting-state networks. Participants also underwent neuropsychological testing. Results: RIS patients did not differ from the healthy controls regarding age, sex, and years of education. However, in memory (verbal and visuospatial) and executive functions, RIS patients’ cognitive performance was significantly worse than the healthy controls. In addition, fluid intelligence was also affected. Twelve out of 25 (48%) RIS patients failed at least one cognitive test, and six (24.0%) had cognitive impairment. Compared to healthy controls, RIS patients showed higher functional connectivity between the default mode network and the right middle and superior frontal gyri and between the central executive network and the right thalamus ( pFDR < 0.05; corrected). In addition, the seed-based correlation analysis revealed that RIS patients presented higher functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex, an important hub in neural networks, and the right precuneus. Conclusion: RIS patients had abnormal brain connectivity in major resting-state neural networks and worse performance in neurocognitive tests. This entity should be considered not an “incidental finding” but an exclusively non-motor (neurocognitive) variant of multiple sclerosis.

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“…Recently, it has been found that EF deficits can be largely explained by a loss of general intelligence. 40 In fact, both cognitive functions are supported by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the EF deficits have been found to be related to lesions of the frontosubcortical tracts.…”

Section: Executive Functionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: “classic” knowledge and recent acquisitions

2023

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease characterized by inflammation, axonal demyelination, and neurodegeneration, which can have a strong impact on all aspects of the life of the patient. Multiple sclerosis causes motor, sensory, cerebellar, and autonomic dysfunctions, as well as cognitive and psychoemotional impairment. The most frequently compromised cognitive domains are complex attention/information processing, memory, executive and visuospatial functions. Recently, alterations have also been evidenced in complex cognitive functions, such as social cognition, moral judgment, and decision-making. Cognitive impairment is characterized by high variability and can affect work skills, social interactions, coping strategies and more generally the quality of life of patients and their families. With the use of sensitive and easy-to-administer test batteries, an increasingly accurate and early diagnosis is feasible: this allows to determine the effectiveness of possible preventive measures, to predict the future progression of the disease and to improve the quality of life of patients. There is currently limited evidence regarding the efficacy, on cognitive impairment, of disease-modifying therapies. The most promising approach, which has received strong empirical support, is cognitive rehabilitation.

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The relationship between executive functions and fluid intelligence in multiple sclerosis

Cited by 14 publications

References 75 publications

A systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis

Abnormal functional connectivity in radiologically isolated syndrome: A resting-state fMRI study

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: “classic” knowledge and recent acquisitions

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