Visual Assessment and its Relationship with Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis: Optical Coherence Tomography and Low-Contrast Letter Acuity Study (2725)

Objective: To determine associations between visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures with cognitive performance of MS patients and healthy controls (HCs). Background: The relationship between visual impairment and cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains poorly understood. Design/Methods: 141 MS patients (with and without MS optic neuritis; MSON) and 50 HCs underwent neuropsychological, visual, and OCT testing. California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT-R) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were used. Visual ability was assessed with 100%, 2.5%, and 1.25% low-contrast letter acuity (LCLA) charts. OCT-derived peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular volume (MV) and macular ganglion cell inner plexiform (mGCIP) were computed. Results: 100% and 2.5% LCLA associated with SDMT in MS and HCs (r=0.377 and r=0.309, p Conclusions: Poorer visual acuity (LCLA) may confound cognitive testing in MS patients with visual but not auditory stimuli. mGCIP and pRNFL associates with cognitive performance in HCs and MS, respectively. Disclosure: Dr. Jakimovski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Medday. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Merck. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Roche. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Brystal Mier Squibb. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD Serono. Dr. Benedict has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Genzyme. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Genentech. The institution of Dr. Benedict has received research support from Biogen. Dr. Benedict has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis . Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genzyme &Sanofi. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Genetech. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Reviewer with NIH. Dr. Ozel has nothing to disclose. Mr. Fuchs has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lincoff has nothing to disclose. Prof. Bergsland has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dwyer has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Dwyer has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Keystone Heart, Ltd. Dr. Dwyer has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. The institution of Dr. Dwyer has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Dwyer has received research support from Keystone Heart, Ltd. The institution of Dr. Dwyer has received research support from Bristol Myers Squibb. The institution of Dr. Dwyer has received research support from Roche. The institution of Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis. The institution of Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Sanofi. The institution of Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Consultant for Keystone Heart. Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Sanofi. Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD Serono. Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Zivadinov has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Novartis.