Cognitive skill

48 to 70% of MS patients have experienced cognitive problems, and in fact, they can be one of the first presenting symptoms.

Thus, patients with MS are frequently referred for a neuropsychological evaluation at the time of diagnosis and following any relapses or suspected changes in cognitive functioning.

Fortunately, for most people with MS, cognitive problems remain mild and limited to only a couple of cognitive domains.

However, for others, cognitive dysfunction can range from moderately to severely impaired.

While cognitive decline can be seen in all subtypes of MS, it is more common in the progressive subtypes, primary progressive and secondary progressive.

Lastly, although all cognitive domains can be affected in MS, and research on the cognitive effects of MS have been inconsistent, people most frequently report problems in processing speed, new learning and memory, attention, and aspects of executive functioning, which is abstract reasoning, judgment, and problem solving.

Domains of cognitive functioning.

Processing speed is a foundation of cognition in that it can affect other areas of functioning.