Cognitive Changes During And After Ms Relapses - 6 Months Follow-Up (P4.170)

Objective The aim of the study is to find the markers for change in cognitive tests in other measures (relapse location, EDSS and disease duration) Background Cognitive problems are common in MS. Nevertheless, there are controversial data available about the changes in cognition and sensitivity of the neuropsychological tests during MS relapses. Methods Neuropsychological test battery (Buschke Selective Reminding Test, logical memory ("Cowboy Story"), 10/36 Visuospatial Memory Test (immediate and later recall), Trail Making A&B, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Verbal Fluency ("animals") and Bender Copies (5 sec recall)) was administered to the PwRRMS at the baseline, during relapse (before the treatment) one and six months after the relapse. 48 PwRRMS participated in the study. Age M = 41 years, disease duration M = 8.7 years, EDSS at the baseline M = 2.2, during relapse M = 3.6, 1 month after relapse M = 3 and 6 months after relapse (21 PwMS) M = 3 Results There were no statistically significant differences in neuropsychological tests comparing test scores during baseline and relapse. Statistically significant differences were demonstreted due to improvement in functions during repeated testing suggesting learning effect. However, subgroup analysis of those PwMS who worsened during relapse in test scores of the cognitive tests revealed that 80 % of patients experiencing relapses with focal CNS signs indicating lesion location worsened in SDM scores (p < 0.05) vs 29 % in the group of PwMS with relapses with general worsening of spasticity and weakness. The decline in Trail B results had positive correlations with disease duration longer than 7 years (p < 0.05). Conclusions Prospective follow-up of neuropsychological functions during relapse free baseline followed by relapse demonstrates that MS relapses do not cause statistically significant decline in tests measuring cognitive functions Disclosure: Dr. Gross-Paju has nothing to disclose.