Cognitive decline is recognized as a prevalent and debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), especially deficits in episodic memory and processing speed.
Some people experience difficulties when making plans and solving problems. They know what they want to do but find it difficult to know where to begin, or find it difficult to work out the steps involved to achieve their goals. This can lead to confusion and stress, which in turn can hamper learning and memory.
Thinking and memory problems, also known as cognitive problems, are common in MS. Issues include memory, attention span, planning, decision making, understanding or concentration. Problems with thinking and memory affect around half of all people with MS.
Problems with memory and thinking - also called 'cognitive problems' - can affect people with MS, but most people will be affected mildly. Some people find it harder to find the right words, to concentrate or to recall things quickly.
The main sign of mild cognitive impairment is a slight decline in mental abilities. Examples include: Memory loss: You may forget recent events or repeat the same questions and stories. You may occasionally forget the names of friends and family members or forget appointments or planned events.
MS can affect mood
worry, fear, moodiness, irritability and anxiety: normal in the face of unpredictability; anyone can become a bit irritable when faced with difficult challenges. depression is one of the most common symptoms of MS and a major risk factor for suicide.
Summary. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that can affect the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Common symptoms include fatigue, bladder and bowel problems, sexual problems, pain, cognitive and mood changes such as depression, muscular changes and visual changes.
Studies have shown that MS disrupts several social cognitive abilities [including empathy and theory of mind (ToM)]. Overall ToM deficits in MS are well documented, but how the specific ToM subcomponents and empathic capacity are affected remains unclear.
Most people with MS can expect to live as long as people without MS, but the condition can affect their daily life. For some people, the changes will be minor. For others, they can mean a loss of mobility and other functions.
While many with MS will experience depression or anxiety at some point, more rarely, some people experience changes to their emotions or behaviour that don't seem to make sense, or that they aren't able to control.
MS-related brain fog affects many people living with MS. In fact, it's estimated that more than half of people living with MS will develop cognitive issues. People may experience such things as forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, and confusion.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting approximately 40% to 60% at some time in their disease course. Cognitive impairment often manifests as deficits in recent memory, attention, information-processing speed, executive functions, and visuospatial perception.
Yes, it's possible to have MS and the more severe dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Changes to the brain can be caused by both MS and Alzheimer's disease. People with relapsing-remitting MS, primary progressive MS, secondary progressive MS, and even very mild MS can go on to develop Alzheimer's disease too.
An unfortunate side effect in many younger patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the development of dementia. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease where the immune system attacks the body, causing a process called demyelination.
The most commonly proposed primary mechanisms of fatigue in MS involve the immune system or sequelae from central nervous system damage. Specific causes are thought to include proinflammatory cytokines, endocrine influences, axonal loss, and altered patterns of cerebral activation.
Study participants with MS were compared to a control group. The researchers found that people with MS were more likely to be angry (trait anger), have a higher intensity of anger (state anger), and express anger either outwardly or inwardly, as compared to the control group.
A person with MS may exhibit behavioral changes, sometimes even inappropriate behavior, such as impulsivity and social and/or sexual disinhibition. While this may be alarming, it's important to keep in mind that this disinhibition is a reflection of a person's disease.
Alexithymia — a psychological condition characterized by a marked difficulty in identifying, describing, and expressing emotions — is lesser, although estimated to be prevalent in 10% to 53% of the MS population.
A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.
MS can have debilitating effects, such as paralysis, blindness, impaired thinking and loss of bladder and bowel control. That's because scar tissue forms around the nerve fibers, preventing them from sending electrical impulses to and from your brain.
Relationships can be profoundly affected by MS, particularly the relationship with a long-term partner, husband or wife. Coping with the physical symptoms, managing pain and fatigue can put pressure on the individual and those closest to them.
Balance: Balance problems typically result in a swaying and “drunken” type of gait known as ataxia. Sensory deficit: Some people with MS have such severe numbness in their feet that they cannot feel the floor or know where their feet are. This is referred to as a sensory ataxia.
One of the biggest questions we ask ourselves is whether or not we are going to go back to normal after an attack. It's possible, yes, but it doesn't always happen for people with multiple sclerosis.