Linking Cognitive Functioning to Multimodal Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common progressive neurologic disorder to occur in adults of working-age. Despite longstanding recognition of cognitive impairment as a symptom of MS, two obstacles in measurement have limited understanding its biological basis, and therefore identifying targeted options for management. First is the absence of a sensitive and precise measure of cognitive impairment. Second is the absence of an index of disease status linked to brain pathophysiology and cognitive performance. This project overcomes both obstacles to link cognitive impairment to MS disease biomarkers. The absence of a sensitive and precise measure of cognitive impairment, along with the absence of an index of disease status linked to brain pathophysiology and cognitive performance, limits the understanding of the biological basis for multiple sclerosis (MS). This project overcomes both obstacles to link cognitive function to MS disease biomarkers, and provides preliminary evaluation of a disease modifying therapy (Tecfidera) for preserving cognitive function.