Depression and Fatigue in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Have No Influence on the Parameters of Cognitive Evoked Potentials

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine if depression and fatigue affect event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, and to assess the significance of ERP as an indicator of cognitive impairment. Methods: A total of 81 relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients and 32 healthy control subjects participated in the study. Cognitive functions were evaluated using a standard PASAT, the symbol digit modality test, and ERP. The degrees of depressive symptomatology and fatigue were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory, the Fatigue Severity Scale, and the Fatigue Impact Scale. Results: Fatigue and depression had a negative effect on the cognitive functions examined by neuropsychological tests. Depression and fatigue did not influence ERP amplitude and latency findings. Depression level was negatively correlated with symbol digit modality test score (r = −0.135, P
Source: Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology - Category: Neurology Tags: Original Research Source Type: research