Neuropsychological performances, quality of life, and psychological issues in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis: a narrative review.
Neurol Sci
; 45(5): 1913-1930, 2024 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38157101
ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily a disease diagnosed in young and middle-aged adults. Although MS is a rare condition in pediatric age, an increasing rate of patients is diagnosed under the age of 18. The disabling nature of the disease cannot be reduced only to physical symptoms. Several additional symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and psychological symptoms are common features of pediatric MS. The reviewed literature suggests that, despite the lower physical disability, children and adolescents diagnosed with MS are vulnerable to cognitive impairment even in the early stage of the disease. The neuropsychological profile of pediatric MS may resemble that of adult MS, including an impairment in attention/information processing speed, learning, verbal, and visuospatial memory. However, cognitive difficulties in children and adolescents are more likely to involve also general intelligence and linguistic abilities, presumably due to patients' younger age and cognitive growth stage. Cognitive difficulties, beyond physical disability and relapses, may have a considerable impact on learning and school achievement. Depression and fatigue are other highly prevalent disturbances in pediatric MS and may contribute to patients' low functional outcomes. Overall, these manifestations may cause considerable functional impairment on daily activities and quality of life that may require individualized rehabilitative treatment and extensive psychosocial care. Additional neuropsychological research evaluating larger samples, using more homogenous methods, and exploring the role of MS treatment on cognitive and psychological development is required.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cognitive Dysfunction
/
Multiple Sclerosis
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Neurol Sci
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy