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Early and severe cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

COMPROMETIMENTO COGNITIVO PRECOCE E GRAVE NA ESCLEROSE MÚLTIPLA

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

To report on four new cases of severe cognitive impairment in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to review data on the subject since few cases have been reported worldwide.

Methods:

Retrospective evaluation of medical records of patients with severe cognitive impairment within the first five years of MS diagnosis. Results on neuropsychological tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were disclosed.

Results:

Four patients from different Brazilian neurological departments in Brazil were evaluated, all presenting with severe cognitive dysfunction classified as rapidly developing dementia. MRI images showed severe brain atrophy and basal ganglia lesions in all patients.

Conclusions:

Although rare, severe cognitive impairment in MS represents an important disability and may ultimately constitute another form of the disease.

Key words:
multiple sclerosis; cognition; dementia; basal ganglia; brain atrophy

Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurologia Cognitiva e Envelhecimento R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices, Torre Norte, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, CEP 04101-000, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistadementia@abneuro.org.br | demneuropsy@uol.com.br