Memory functioning and emotional changes in early phase multiple sclerosis

Memory functioning and emotional changes were evaluated in 26 early phase m ultiple sclerosis (MS) patients, as compared with 24 healthy controls. Ther e were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age, e ducation, verbal intelligence, or general visual information processing abi lities. The MS group performed significantly below controls on the recognit ion of nonsense visual stimuli. On most verbal memory test indicators, the MS group did not perform deficiently, hut there emerged a between-group dif ference at trend level on a measure reflecting sensitivity to proactive inh ibition. The MS patients reported emotional changes and increased levels of psychological symptoms in several areas. Memory task performance was not s ignificantly correlated with subjective complaints of memory impairment, de pressive symptoms, or degree of physical disability. However, subjective co mplaints of memory impairment were related to depression. (C) 1999 National Academy of Neuropsychology. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.