Memory and executive functions in multiple sclerosis: preliminary findingswith a cognitive battery.

Twenty one MS patients suffering from a relapsing-remitting (four patients) , a secondary progressive (12 patients) or a primary progressive form of th e disease (five patients) were assessed using a cognitive battery specifica lly devoted to executive and memory processes. Results showed that, patient s without significant depressive state evaluated by the MADR scale, exhibit ed significant impairments in executive processes, working, episodic and pr ocedural memories whereas short term memory, language and global intellectu al efficiency were normal; The preliminary data suggest an impairment of en coding, a process previously underestimated in this disease. In addition, t he battery was easily administered to the patients and relevant for the cog nitive assessment of MS.