Slowing of information processing speed without motor slowing in multiple sclerosis observed during two crossing-off tasks

• Published in: Revue neurologique Vol. 172; no. 3; pp. 225 - 230
• Main Authors: Binétruy, M., Chopard, G., Laurent, E., Galmiche, J., Vandel, P., Moreau, T., Magnin, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01-03-2016; Elsevier Masson
• Subjects: Adult; Automatic processes; Cognition; Cognitive processes; Controlled processes; Crossing-Off Test; Female; Handwriting; Humans; Information processing speed; Life Sciences; Male; Mental Processes; Movement; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - physiopathology; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - psychology; Neurons and Cognition; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Reaction Time; Multiple sclerosis; Cognitive processes; Information processing speed; Automatic processes; Controlled processes; Crossing-Off Test
• ISSN: 0035-3787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2015.12.008

Slowing of information processing speed (IPS) is often considered one of the primary deficits seen in multiple sclerosis (MS). IPS is usually measured by tasks that involve many cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to determine whether similar IPS slowing can also be observed during two simple, timed, psychomotor crossing-off tasks.
The Crossing-Off Test (COT), a simple psychomotor task, was performed under two conditions (COT1 corresponded to writing habits, COT2 used horizontal sweeping) in 25 relapsing–remitting MS patients (EDSS 0–1) and 25 healthy controls.
The MS group compared with the control group was impaired on COT1 (P=0.0043) and not on COT2 (P=0.4), and the COT1 performance of MS patients with EDSS 1 was more impaired than those of patients with EDSS 0 (P=0.008).
These results indicate that only some of the IPS cognitive subcomponents linked with COT1 tasks are initially involved in the slowing of IPS during MS, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved in each tested version of the COT.