Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet few studies have examined effects of treatment on neuropsychological (NP) performance. To evaluate the effects of interferon β-1a (IFNβ-1a, 30 μg administered intramuscularly once weekly [Avonex]) on cognitive function, a Comprehensive NP Battery was administered at baseline and week 104 to relapsing MS patients in the phase III study, 166 of whom completed both assessments. A Brief NP Battery was also administered at 6-month intervals. The primary NP outcome measure was 2-year change on the Comprehensive NP Battery, grouped into domains of information processing and learning/memory (set A), visuospatial abilities and problem solving (set B), and verbal abilities and attention span (set C). NP effects were most pronounced in cognitive domains vulnerable to MS: IFNβ-1a had a significant beneficial effect on the set A composite, with a favorable trend evident on set B. Secondary outcome analyses revealed significant between-group differences in slopes for Brief NP Battery performance and time to sustained deterioration in a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test processing rate, favoring the IFNβ-1a group. These results support and extend previous observations of significant beneficial effects of IFNβ-1a for relapsing MS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 885-892 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Annals of Neurology |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology