Cognition and fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Potential effects of medications with central nervous system activity.

Full Abstract

To evaluate the potential effects of medications with central nervous system (CNS) activity on cognitive function and fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS), we performed a retrospective analysis of medication use among 70 subjects with MS who were participating in a clinical trial for evaluation of the effects of yoga and exercise programs on cognition and fatigue. Among these MS subjects, 74% were taking at least one potentially CNS-active medication. These 70 subjects were divided into two groups:
those taking at least one CNS-active medication (n = 52) and those not on any medications with potential CNS activity (n = 18). We compared assessments of cognitive function and fatigue using an analysis of covariance. MS subjects on CNS-active medication had greater impairment on measures of processing speed, sustained attention, and fatigue than those not on these medications. While these findings do not establish a causal relationship between medication use and cognitive impairment and fatigue, the data indicate that researchers need to control for use of CNS-active medications when conducting studies of cognitive impairment and fatigue in MS subjects.

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Author information

Author/s: Oken, Barry S (BS); Flegal, Kristin (K); Zajdel, Daniel (D); Kishiyama, Shirley S (SS); Lovera, Jesus (J); Bagert, Bridget (B); Bourdette, Dennis N (DN);

Affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. oken(-atsign-)ohsu.edu

Grants: M01RR000334 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS) ; P50AT00066 (Agency:NCCAM NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Journal of rehabilitation research and development (J Rehabil Res Dev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Jan-Feb; vol 43 (issue 1) : pp 83-90

Dates: Created 2006/07/18; Completed 2007/09/20; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 16847774, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Age Distribution
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology
Drug Therapy, Combination
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - diagnosis; epidemiology
Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Mental Processes - drug effects

Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; epidemiology; psychology
Multivariate Analysis
Neuropsychological Tests
Probability
Prognosis
Quality of Life
Risk Assessment
Sex Distribution
Treatment Outcome

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