Browsing by Author "Etholén, Tatu Juhani"

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive demyelinating neurodegenerative disease with an unknown etiology and thus far with no known cure. It is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting young adults. Despite the fact that it has been known since the discovery of multiple sclerosis in1869 that cognitive impairment is involved in the progression of the disease, it is still not routinely assessed in its treatment. Instead, measuring the disease's progression usually involves assessing the capabilities related to motor functioning and the interest in the cognitive aspect begun to resurface over a hundred years later. According to current research evidence, cognitive impairment is present in approximately half of the cases, increasing with age from onset of the disease. This review presents the current state of treatment and the surrounding debate related to whether measuring cognitive functioning should also be a routine examination involving patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, and how the measuring of such symptoms should be much more widespread (Finnish Käypä hoito -suositus: aguideline for proper treatment created for medical professionals) Some options to assess cognitive impairment with neuropsychological test batteries are presented. Several screening procedures, including very easy and quick to administer in clinical settings, are also presented. Additionally, some new measurement methods requiring less staff involvement, are discussed, including computerized testing.In spite of the overwhelming evidence about the cost/benefit ratio, routine cognitive testing is stille not routinely applied.