4th Nordic MS symposium - Cognitive impairment in MS

Research has revealed a reciprocal relationship between neuroscience and immunology mediated by the endocrine and nervous systems. Thomas Berger gave an introduction to the field of psychoneuroimmunology.

Päivi Hämäläinen reviewed the current understanding of neuropsychological impairment in MS, available screening methods and effects of non-pharmacological treatment.

The use of fMRI during a resting state has become an attractive tool for visualising the continuous alternations between activated brain networks. Helene van Ettinger-Veenstra reviewed the basis for task-based and resting-state fMRI.

Gro Owren Nygaard discussed current knowledge about cognition and disease activity in early MS and presented results from her thesis on the subject.

Maria Rocca described how fMRI can be applied to investigate cognitive impairment and monitor treatment response in patients with MS.

The diagnosis of cognitive impairment is made difficult by a number of confounding factors, one of which is depression. Emilio Portaccio discussed the relationship between cognition and depression and described how symptoms relate to brain pathology.

Many MS patients grade fatigue and depression among the worse symptoms of the disease. Fredrik Piehl described the structural basis for these symptoms and discussed how they can be treated.

The so-called hidden symptoms or soft signs of MS include fatigue, depression/anxiety and cognitive deficits. The degree of interaction between these symptoms is high and their influence on quality of life and adherence to therapy is substantial. Iris-Katharina Penner discussed how cognition and fatigue can be assessed.

Cognitive symptoms play a huge role in the daily life of MS patients but in clinical studies, more easily measurable factors are generally prioritised. Tjalf Ziemssen reviewed important studies on DMTs with regard to cognitive function.

Friedemann Paul discussed how pathology associated with cognitive performance can be evaluated using modern imaging techniques, even early in the disease course.