Cognitive rehabilitation effects on grey matter volume and Go-NoGo activity in progressive multiple sclerosis: results from the CogEx trial.

BACKGROUND: Research on cognitive rehabilitation (CR) and aerobic exercise (EX) to improve cognition in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) remains limited. CogEx trial investigated the effectiveness of CR and EX in PMS: here, we present MRI substudy volumetric and task-related functional MRI (fMRI) findings. METHODS: Participants were randomised to: 'CR plus EX', 'CR plus sham EX (EX-S)', 'EX plus sham CR (CR-S)' and 'CR-S plus EX-S' and attended 12-week intervention. All subjects performed physical/cognitive assessments at baseline, week 12 and 6 months post intervention (month 9). All MRI substudy participants underwent volumetric MRI and fMRI (Go-NoGo task). RESULTS: 104 PMS enrolled at four sites participated in the CogEx MRI substudy; 84 (81%) had valid volumetric MRI and valid fMRI. Week 12/month 9 cognitive performances did not differ among interventions; however, 25-62% of the patients showed Symbol Digit Modalities Test improvements. Normalised cortical grey matter volume (NcGMV) changes at week 12 versus baseline were heterogeneous among interventions (p=0.05); this was mainly driven by increased NcGMV in 'CR plus EX-S' (p=0.02). Groups performing CR (ie, 'CR plus EX' and 'CR plus EX-S') exhibited increased NcGMV over time, especially in the frontal (p=0.01), parietal (p=0.04) and temporal (p=0.04) lobes, while those performing CR-S exhibited NcGMV decrease (p=0.008). In CR groups, increased NcGMV (r=0.36, p=0.01) at week 12 versus baseline correlated with increased California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)-II scores. 'CR plus EX-S' patients exhibited Go-NoGo activity increase (p<0.05, corrected) at week 12 versus baseline in bilateral insula. CONCLUSIONS: In PMS, CR modulated grey matter (GM) volume and insular activity. The association of GM and CVLT-II changes suggests GM plasticity contributes to cognitive improvements. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03679468.

Intimate partner violence and multiple sclerosis.

People with MS may be at heightened risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to the general population; however, little is known about the prevalence of IPV among people with MS or its effects on MS-specific clinical outcomes. Additionally, while MS clinicians often discuss family planning with patients, many clinicians may have received little training in detecting and responding to IPV. Moreover, no studies have investigated how to implement IPV case-finding and resource provision in the MS clinical setting. Overall, there are several scholarly, educational, and implementation-related gaps in IPV-associated care for people with MS. This article aims to summarize the available literature on IPV in people with MS, identify future research questions, and aid MS clinicians in safely addressing IPV while awaiting vital MS-specific knowledge.

Neuro-immune crosstalk in depressive symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Depressive disorders can occur in up to 50% of people with multiple sclerosis in their lifetime. If left untreated, comorbid major depressive disorders may not spontaneously remit and is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. Conversely, epidemiological evidence supports increased psychiatric visit as a significant prodromal event prior to diagnosis of MS. Are there common molecular pathways that contribute to the co-development of MS and psychiatric illnesses? We discuss immune cells that are dysregulated in MS and how such dysregulation can induce or protect against depressive symptoms. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all molecular pathways but rather a framework to guide future investigations of immune responses in depressed versus euthymic people with MS. Currently, there is weak evidence supporting the use of antidepressant medication in comorbid MS patients. It is our hope that by better understanding the neuroimmune crosstalk in the context of depression in MS, we can enhance the potential for future therapeutic options.

Establishing the consistency of a voice recognition symbol digit modalities test analogue.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated the convergent validity of a fully automated voice recognition analogue of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (VR-SDMT) for evaluating processing speed in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). OBJECTIVE/METHODS: We aimed to replicate these results in 54 pwMS and 18 healthy controls (HCs), demonstrating the VR-SDMT's reliability. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the VR-SDMT and the traditional oral SDMT in the multiple sclerosis (MS) (r = -0.771, p < 0.001) and HC (r = -0.785, p < 0.001) groups. CONCLUSION: Taken collectively, our two studies demonstrate the reliability and validity of the VR-SDMT for assessing processing speed in pwMS.

Neuropsychiatric Status of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Across Disease Duration Intervals.

OBJECTIVES: The neuropsychiatric sequelae of multiple sclerosis (MS) are important predictors of morbidity and mortality. The authors examined how symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, subjective cognitive impairment, and objective cognitive dysfunction varied with disease duration. They also explored changes in the use of disease-modifying therapies, psychotropic medications, and psychotherapies in relation to disease duration. METHODS: A retrospective sample of 464 people with MS was stratified into three groups based on disease duration: <5 years (N=129), 5-10 years (N=101), and >10 years (N=234). Symptoms of depression and anxiety were recorded with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); fatigue, with the five-item version of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-5); subjective cognitive impairment, with the five-item version of the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-5); and cognition, with the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). RESULTS: There were between-group differences in anxiety symptoms (p<0.01) and degree of cognitive impairment (p=0.03), but there were no differences in depressive symptoms, fatigue, or subjective cognitive difficulties. Anxiety was higher during the first 5 years after diagnosis, and cognitive dysfunction was higher when assessed more than 10 years after diagnosis. With longer disease duration, a greater proportion of participants received psychotropic medications (p<0.01), and lower proportions received disease-modifying therapies (p<0.01) or psychotherapies (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated that rates of some neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety and cognitive dysfunction, may shift with disease duration, whereas other symptoms, such as fatigue and depression, may not. These findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring the mental state of people with MS over time.

A French Version of a Voice Recognition Symbol Digit Modalities Test Analog.

We previously showed that a fully automated voice recognition analog of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (VR-SDMT) is sensitive in detecting processing speed deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). We subsequently developed a French language version and administered it to 49 French-Canadian pwMS and 29 matched healthy control (HC) subjects. Significant correlations between the VR-SDMT and traditional oral SDMT were found in the MS (r = -0.716, p < 0.001) and HC (r = -0.623, p < 0.001) groups. These findings in French replicate our previous findings and confirm the utility of voice recognition software in assessing cognition in pwMS.

Neuromodulation for the treatment of functional neurological disorder and somatic symptom disorder: a systematic review.

Functional neurological disorder and somatic symptom disorder are complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been linked to circuit-based dysfunction of brain networks. Neuromodulation is a novel therapeutic strategy capable of modulating relevant brain networks, making it a promising potential candidate for the treatment of these patient populations. We conducted a systematic review of Medline, Embase and PsycINFO up to 4 March 2021. Trials investigating neuromodulation devices for the treatment of functional neurological disorder or somatic symptom disorder were selected. Extracted variables included study design, demographic and clinical characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity, neurostimulation protocols, clinical outcome measures and results. 404 studies were identified with 12 meeting inclusion criteria. 221 patients were treated in the included studies with mean study sample size of 18 (4-70). Five studies were randomised clinical trials. Functional motor symptoms (six weakness, four movement disorders) were the most studied subpopulations. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was the most frequently used device (10 studies), followed by electroconvulsive therapy (one study) and direct-current stimulation (one study). Treatment protocols varied in intended therapeutic mechanism(s): eight studies aimed to modulate underlying network dysfunction, five aimed to demonstrate movement (one also leveraged the former) and three boosted their primary mechanism with enhanced suggestion/expectation. All but one study reported positive results; however, methodological/outcome heterogeneity, mixed study quality and small sample sizes precluded quantitative meta-analysis. Neuromodulation, particularly TMS for the treatment of functional motor symptoms, shows preliminary promise in a growing line of research. Larger, sham-controlled studies are needed to further establish efficacy and better understand therapeutic mechanisms.

The relationship between processing speed and verbal and non-verbal new learning and memory in progressive multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Processing speed (PS) deficits are the most common cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS), followed by learning and memory deficits, and are often an early cognitive problem. It has been argued that impaired PS is a primary consequence of MS, which in turn decreases learning. The current analysis examined the association between PS and learning in a large cohort of individuals with progressive MS. METHODS: Baseline data from a randomized clinical trial on rehabilitation taking place at 11 centers across North America and Europe were analyzed. Participants included 275 individuals with clinically definite progressive MS (primary, secondary) consented into the trial. RESULTS: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) significantly correlated with California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) (r = 0.21, p = 0.0003) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) (r = 0.516, p < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the SDMT z score to distinguish between impaired and non-impaired CVLT-II performance demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.61 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55-0.68) and a threshold of -1.62. ROC analysis between SDMT and BVMT-R resulted in an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.71-0.83) and threshold of -1.75 for the SDMT z score to predict impaired BVMT-R. CONCLUSION: Results indicate little ability beyond chance to predict CVLT-II from SDMT (61%), albeit statistically significant. In contrast, there was a 77% chance that the model could distinguish between impaired and non-impaired BVMT-R. Several potential explanations are discussed.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and free-living physical activity are not associated with cognition in persons with progressive multiple sclerosis: Baseline analyses from the CogEx study.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise training (physical activity for improving cardiorespiratory fitness) represents a promising approach for managing cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there is limited evidence that levels of physical activity and fitness are associated with cognition in progressive MS. OBJECTIVE: We examined associations among cardiorespiratory fitness, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and cognitive performance in a large, international progressive MS sample. METHODS: Two hundred forty European and North American persons with progressive MS underwent cardiorespiratory fitness measurement on a recumbent stepper, wore an ActiGraph GT3X + accelerometer for 7 days for measuring MVPA, and underwent the Brief International Cognitive Assessment in MS. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness was not significantly correlated with Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT; r = -0.01; r = -0.04), California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II; r = 0.05; r = 0.05), or Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R; r = -0.14; r = -0.14) z-scores controlling for age, sex, and education. MVPA and SDMT (r = 0.05), CVLT-II (r = -0.07), and BVMT-R (r = 0.01) z-scores were not significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness and MVPA were not associated with cognition in this large progressive MS sample, yet these outcomes represent critical manipulation checks for documenting the success of the CogEx trial. This highlights the importance of examining other exercise-related mechanisms-of-action for improving cognition in progressive MS.

Charting a global research strategy for progressive MS-An international progressive MS Alliance proposal.

BACKGROUND: Progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) affect more than 1 million individuals globally. Recent approvals of ocrelizumab for primary progressive MS and siponimod for active secondary progressive MS have opened the therapeutic door, though results from early trials of neuroprotective agents have been mixed. The recent introduction of the term 'active' secondary progressive MS into the therapeutic lexicon has introduced potential confusion to disease description and thereby clinical management. OBJECTIVE: This paper reviews recent progress, highlights continued knowledge and proposes, on behalf of the International Progressive MS Alliance, a global research strategy for progressive MS. METHODS: Literature searches of PubMed between 2015 and May, 2021 were conducted using the search terms "progressive multiple sclerosis", "primary progressive multiple sclerosis", "secondary progressive MS". Proposed strategies were developed through a series of in-person and virtual meetings of the International Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee. RESULTS: Sustaining and accelerating progress will require greater understanding of underlying mechanisms, identification of potential therapeutic targets, biomarker discovery and validation, and conduct of clinical trials with improved trial design. Encouraging developments in symptomatic and rehabilitative interventions are starting to address ongoing challenges experienced by people with progressive MS. CONCLUSION: We need to manage these challenges and realise the opportunities in the context of a global research strategy, which will improve quality of life for people with progressive MS.

Discontinuing cannabis improves depression in people with multiple sclerosis: A short report.

To assess whether symptoms of depression change when people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) discontinue cannabis use, 40 cognitively impaired pwMS who smoked cannabis almost daily were randomly assigned to either a cannabis continuation (CC) or cannabis withdrawal (CW) group. Both groups were followed for 28 days. All participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. At day 28 the 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (THCCOOH)/creatinine ratio in the CW group declined to zero (p = 0.0001), but remained unchanged in the CC group (p = 0.709). Depression scores in those pwMS who were using cannabis to manage their depression remained statistically unchanged in the CC group, but declined in the CW group (p = 0.006). Despite pwMS using cannabis to help their mood, depression improved significantly off the drug. Our finding provides a cautionary note in relation to cannabis use in pwMS, at least with respect to depression.

A novel in-home digital treatment to improve processing speed in people with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a videogame-like digital treatment is superior to a control in improving processing speed in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Adults with MS and baseline Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) z-scores between -2 and 0 were enrolled in a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. After completing a baseline in-clinic evaluation (Visit 1), they were randomized to complete an in-home, tablet-based videogame-like digital treatment (AKL-T03) or control word game (AKL-T09) for up to 25 minutes/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. A repeat in-clinic evaluation occurred at 6 weeks (Visit 2), and again 8 weeks later to determine persistence of effects (Visit 3). The pre-specified primary outcome was change in SDMT score between Visits 1 and 2. RESULTS: SDMT increased at Visit 2 for participants randomized to both AKL-T03 (p < 0.001) and AKL-T09 (p = 0.024). These respective mean improvements were +6.10 and +3.55 (comparison p = 0.21). At Visit 3, 70% of participants randomized to AKL-T03 maintained a clinically meaningful 4+-point increase in SDMT above their baseline, compared with 37% for AKL-T09 (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: This in-home digital intervention resulted in substantial and durable improvements in processing speed. A larger randomized controlled clinical trial is planned. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under "NCT03569618," https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03569618.

Cognitive impairment, the central vein sign, and paramagnetic rim lesions in RIS.

OBJECTIVE: The central vein sign (CVS) and "paramagnetic rim lesions" (PRL) are emerging imaging biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) reflecting perivenular demyelination and chronic, smoldering inflammation. The objective of this study was to assess relationships between cognitive impairment (CI) and the CVS and PRL in radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). METHODS: Twenty-seven adults with RIS underwent 3.0 T MRI of the brain and cervical spinal cord (SC) and cognitive assessment using the minimal assessment of cognitive function in MS battery. The CVS and PRL were assessed in white-matter lesions (WMLs) on T2*-weighted segmented echo-planar magnitude and phase images. Multivariable linear regression evaluated relationships between CI and MRI measures. RESULTS: Global CI was present in 9 (33%) participants with processing speed and visual memory most frequently affected. Most participants (93%) had ⩾ 40% CVS + WML (a threshold distinguishing MS from other WM disorders); 63% demonstrated PRL. Linear regression revealed that CVS + WML predicted performance on verbal memory(ß =-0.024, p = 0.03) while PRL predicted performance on verbal memory (ß = -0.040, p = 0.04) and processing speed (ß = -0.039, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: CI is common in RIS and is associated with markers of perivenular demyelination and chronic inflammation in WML, such as CVS + WML and PRL. A prospective follow-up of this cohort will ascertain the importance of CI, CVS, and PRL as risk factors for conversion from RIS to MS.

Prioritizing progressive MS rehabilitation research: A call from the International Progressive MS Alliance.

BACKGROUND: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience myriad symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life. Despite significant progress in rehabilitation strategies for people living with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), the development of similar strategies for people with progressive MS has received little attention. OBJECTIVE: To highlight key symptoms of importance to people with progressive MS and stimulate the design and implementation of high-quality studies focused on symptom management and rehabilitation. METHODS: A group of international research experts, representatives from industry, and people affected by progressive MS was convened by the International Progressive MS Alliance to devise research priorities for addressing symptoms in progressive MS. RESULTS: Based on information from the MS community, we outline a rationale for highlighting four symptoms of particular interest: fatigue, mobility and upper extremity impairment, pain, and cognitive impairment. Factors such as depression, resilience, comorbidities, and psychosocial support are described, as they affect treatment efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This coordinated call to action-to the research community to prioritize investigation of effective symptom management strategies, and to funders to support them-is an important step in addressing gaps in rehabilitation research for people affected by progressive MS.

Study protocol: improving cognition in people with progressive multiple sclerosis: a multi-arm, randomized, blinded, sham-controlled trial of cognitive rehabilitation and aerobic exercise (COGEx).

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction affects up to 70% of people with progressive MS (PMS). It can exert a deleterious effect on activities of daily living, employment and relationships. Preliminary evidence suggests that performance can improve with cognitive rehabilitation (CR) and aerobic exercise (EX), but existing data are predominantly from people with relapsing-remitting MS without cognitive impairment. There is therefore a need to investigate whether this is also the case in people with progressive forms of the disease who have objectively identified cognitive impairment. It is hypothesized that CR and EX are effective treatments for people with PMS who have cognitive impairment, in particular processing speed (PS) deficits, and that a combination of these two treatments is more effective than each individual treatment given alone. We further hypothesize that improvements in PS will be associated with modifications of functional and/or structural plasticity within specific brain networks/regions involved in PS measured with advanced MRI techniques. METHODS: This study is a multisite, randomized, double-blinded, sham controlled clinical trial of CR and aerobic exercise. Three hundred and sixty subjects from 11 sites will be randomly assigned into one of four groups: CR plus aerobic exercise; CR plus sham exercise; CR sham plus aerobic exercise and CR sham plus sham exercise. Subjects will participate in the assigned treatments for 12 weeks, twice a week. All subjects will have a cognitive and physical assessment at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. In an embedded sub-study, approximately 30% of subjects will undergo structural and functional MRI to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the behavioral response. The primary outcome is the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) measuring PS. Secondary outcome measures include: indices of verbal and non-verbal memory, depression, walking speed and a dual cognitive-motor task and MRI. DISCUSSION: The study is being undertaken in 6 countries (11 centres) in multiple languages (English, Italian, Danish, Dutch); with testing material validated and standardized in these languages. The rationale for this approach is to obtain a robustly powered sample size and to demonstrate that these two interventions can be given effectively in multiple countries and in different languages. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on September 20th 2018 at www.clinicaltrials.gov having identifier NCT03679468. Registration was performed before recruitment was initiated.

Coming off cannabis: a cognitive and magnetic resonance imaging study in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive dysfunction affects 40-80% of patients with multiple sclerosis. Smoking cannabis may add to these deficits. It is unclear whether coming off cannabis results in cognitive improvement. To address this question, 40 patients with multiple sclerosis who started using cannabis after the onset of multiple sclerosis and who used it for at least 4 days a week over many years were divided by odd-even number selection into two groups: cannabis continuation and cannabis withdrawal. Assessments took place at baseline and after 28 days and included serial versions of the Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Battery for multiple sclerosis containing tests of verbal and visual memory, processing speed and executive function; structural and functional MRI, the latter entailing a compatible version of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test; urine for cannabinoid metabolites to detect compliance with abstinence. Only those participants deemed globally impaired at baseline (failure on at least two cognitive domains) were enrolled. The results revealed that the two groups were well matched demographically and neurologically. One subject was removed from the withdrawal group because of failed abstinence. Urine analysis revealed the cannabinoid consumed was predominantly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There were no baseline between group cognitive differences, but by Day 28 the withdrawal group performed significantly better on every cognitive index (P < 0.0001 for all). Significant within group differences were present for every test over time, but only in the abstinent group (P < 0.0001 for all tests). There were no between group baseline or Day 28 differences in structural MRI indices (global atrophy, total T1 and T2 lesion volume). At index assessment the two groups had a similar performance on the functional MRI-compatible Symbol Digit Modalities Test and there were no group differences in brain activation. However, by Day 28, the withdrawal group completed more trials correctly (P < 0.012) and had a faster reaction time (P < 0.002), associated with significantly increased activation in brain regions known to be associated with performance of the test (bilateral inferior frontal gyri, caudate and declive/cerebellum, P < 0.001 for all regions). These results reveal that patients with multiple sclerosis who are frequent, long-term cannabis users can show significant improvements in memory, processing speed and executive function after 28 days of drug abstinence. The absence of similar improvements in a matched multiple sclerosis group that remained on cannabis shows that beneficial cognitive change after stopping cannabis is not solely attributable to the effects of practice.

The link between depression and performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test: Mechanisms and clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism and clinical significance of depression-related differences in performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). METHODS: The influence of depression on two versions of a computerized SDMT (i.e. fixed versus variable code) was assessed. Both versions involve processing speed, but the fixed c-SDMT also encompasses incidental visual memory. RESULTS: Depression was associated with a 19.06% slowing on the variable ( p = 0.002) and an 8.10% slowing on the fixed ( p = 0.219) c-SDMT. CONCLUSION: Depression-associated differences in performance on the SDMT appear linked more to a reduction in processing speed than a decline in incidental visual memory and exceed the 10% threshold considered clinically significant.

Taking the tester out of the SDMT: A proof of concept fully automated approach to assessing processing speed in people with MS.

BACKGROUND: One factor hindering the widespread use of cognitive testing for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is the need for a tester to administer tests. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a proof of concept study assessing the feasibility of a fully automated speech recognition version of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (auto-SDMT) in detecting abnormalities in processing speed in pwMS. METHODS: A sample of 50 pwMS and 32 matched healthy control (HC) subjects was tested with the auto-SDMT and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS). RESULTS: The percentages of MS participants impaired on the auto-SDMT and the traditional oral SDMT were 34% and 32%, respectively. Excellent convergent validity was found between the two tests (MS: r = -0.806, p < 0.001 and HC: r = -0.629, p < 0.001). The auto-SDMT had a similar sensitivity and specificity to the traditional oral SDMT in predicting overall impairment on the BICAMS. CONCLUSION: The auto-SDMT is a sensitive measure for detecting processing speed deficits in pwMS. The test, the first entirely computer administrated oral response version of the SDMT, uses speech recognition technology, thereby eliminating the need for a human tester. Replication of the results is required in a larger representative sample of pwMS.

Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) for screening and monitoring cognitive impairment is increasing exponentially. Previous reviews of computerized tests for multiple sclerosis (MS) were primarily qualitative and did not rigorously compare CNADs on psychometric properties. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to systematically review the literature on the use of CNADs in MS and identify test batteries and single tests with good evidence for reliability and validity. METHOD: A search of four major online databases was conducted for publications related to computerized testing and MS. Test-retest reliability and validity coefficients and effect sizes were recorded for each CNAD test, along with administration characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 11 batteries and 33 individual tests from 120 peer-reviewed articles meeting the inclusion criteria. CNADs with the strongest psychometric support include the CogState Brief Battery, Cognitive Drug Research Battery, NeuroTrax, CNS-Vital Signs, and computer-based administrations of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. CONCLUSION: We identified several CNADs that are valid to screen for MS-related cognitive impairment, or to supplement full, conventional neuropsychological assessment. The necessity of testing with a technician, and in a controlled clinic/laboratory environment, remains uncertain.