Abstract: Objective To investigate the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and explore the correlation between neuropsychological test and the third ventricle width. Methods Twenty-three patients with MS(MS group)and 23 healthy controls(control group) were enrolled in the study. The two groups were submitted to a battery of neuropsychological tests to assess general cognitive function, executive function, attentional function and information processing speed. Each group underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. The third ventricle width was also measured. Results Compared with control group, the general cognitive function, executive function, attentional function and information processing speed of MS group obviously decreased (P<0.05). The width of the third ventricle increased in MS group, compared with control group[(4.96±0.77) vs (3.82±0.38)mm, P<0.05)]. The results of symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and the third part of color word test (CWT) were associated with disease duration (r=-0.430 and 0.455, P<0.05). SDMT result showed negative relation with EDSS scores(r=-0.505, P<0.05). Verbal fluency test (VFT), digit span test(DST) and SDMT also showed negative relations with the width of the third ventricle (r=-0.511~-0.595, P<0.05), while the results of trail making test(TMT) and CWT showed positive relations with the width of the third ventricle (r=0.571 and 0.549, P<0.05). Conclusion The impaired aspects of cognition in MS mainly involve executive function, attentional function and information processing speed. The width of the third ventricle has an influence on cognitive impairments in MS patients.

Key words: Cognitive impairment, Cerebral atrophy, Multiple sclerosis, Neuropsychological tests