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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

electroencephalography, cognition, multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory disease

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It is believed to be caused by an abnormal autoimmune response to cells in the brain responsible for insulating and supporting neuronal cells. The initial focal site of injury is the myelin sheath surrounding neuronal axons, which can lead to neuron damage through axonal dysfunction and destruction (Lassmann 2008). This damage presents a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms contain components of cognitive, motor, and emotional impairments. Studies indicate that 40-70% of individuals with MS have cognitive impairments including deficits in memory, processing speed, attention, and executive functioning (Rogers and Panegyres 2007). Cognitive deficits in MS patients poorly correlate with physical disability, disease course, or length of disease (Rao, 1991). There are four basic classes of MS, which are determined by disease severity and frequency of attacks. Beyond this however, specific symptom presentation is highly individual and unique. Due to the high variability of disease presentation, a major focus of present research is devoted to developing better methods of symptom identification and classification. This need is particularly important for cognitive symptoms due to their heterogeneity amongst individuals.

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