Whilst there was only a limited pool of relatively small trials and a number of different compounds , we found that collectively , both AChEIs ( donepezil and rivastigmine ) and stimulants ( methylpheni date , modafinil , l‐amphetamine sulfate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate ) offered no significant benefits over placebo on measures of processing speed , working memory , verbal fluency , verbal memory , visuospatial memory or executive functioning
HighlightsCognitive deficits are present in up to 70 % of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).There are no approved treatments for these difficulties .
We examined whether adjunctive pharmacotherapies can improve cognition in MS.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors offered no significant benefits over placebo .
Stimulant‐based medications offered no significant benefits over placebo .
& NA ; We sought to examine the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors ( AChEIs ) and stimulant‐based medications for improving cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .
Exercise training effects on memory and hippocampal viscoelasticity in multiple sclerosis: a novel application of magnetic resonance elastography
Introduction Cognitive impairment is common and debilitating among persons with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) and might be managed with exercise training . However , the effects of exercise training on viscoelastic brain properties in this population are unknown . The present pilot study adopted a single-blind r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) design and is the first to examine the effect of an aerobic exercise training intervention on learning and memory and hippocampal viscoelasticity using magnetic resonance elastography ( MRE ) in persons with MS . Methods Eight fully ambulatory females with MS were r and omly assigned into exercise training intervention or waitlist control conditions . The intervention condition involved 12 weeks of supervised , progressive treadmill walking exercise training . All participants underwent measures of learning and memory ( i.e. , California Verbal Learning Test-II ; CVLT-II ) and further underwent MRE scans for measurement of shear stiffness ( μ ) and damping ratio ( ξ ) of the hippocampus before and after the 12-week period . Results Overall , there were small-to-moderate intervention effects on CVLT-II performance ( d = 0.34 ) and large intervention effects on hippocampal μ ( d = 0.94 ) and hippocampal ξ ( d = −1.20 ) . Change in CVLT-II scores was strongly associated with change in μ ( r = 0.93 , p < 0.01 ) and ξ ( r = −.96 , p < 0.01 ) of the hippocampus . Conclusion This small pilot RCT provides exciting proof-of-concept data supporting progressive treadmill walking exercise training for potentially improving learning and memory and underlying hippocampal viscoelastic properties in persons with MS . This is important given the high prevalence and burden of MS-related memory impairment
Whilst there was only a limited pool of relatively small trials and a number of different compounds , we found that collectively , both AChEIs ( donepezil and rivastigmine ) and stimulants ( methylpheni date , modafinil , l‐amphetamine sulfate and lisdexamfetamine dimesylate ) offered no significant benefits over placebo on measures of processing speed , working memory , verbal fluency , verbal memory , visuospatial memory or executive functioning
HighlightsCognitive deficits are present in up to 70 % of people with multiple sclerosis (MS).There are no approved treatments for these difficulties .
We examined whether adjunctive pharmacotherapies can improve cognition in MS.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors offered no significant benefits over placebo .
Stimulant‐based medications offered no significant benefits over placebo .
& NA ; We sought to examine the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors ( AChEIs ) and stimulant‐based medications for improving cognitive performance in patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS ) .