Cognitive dysfunction is one of the leading causes of disability in multiple scelerosis (MS), exacting a tremendous socioeconomic and interpersonal toll. Unfortunately, previous attempts to rehabilitate cognitive dysfunction in MS have had only limited success. The investigators intend to overcome the limitations of previous studies by: 1) testing the efficacy of interventions that specifically target cognitive functioning; and 2) utilizing a novel outcome measurement that may be more sensitive and ecologically valid for the cognitive dysfunction that occurs in MS. The proposed experiments will determine the efficacy of donepezil therapy and glucose administration for enhancing memory functioning in individuals with MS. The investigators will also measure secondary outcomes assessing other areas of cognitive dysfunction (i.e., nonverbal memory, conceptual thinking, processing speed) which may improve with intervention.
| Strober, Lauren B; Christodoulou, Christopher; Benedict, Ralph H B et al. (2012) Unemployment in multiple sclerosis: the contribution of personality and disease. Mult Scler 18:647-53 |
| Krupp, Lauren B; Benedict, Ralph H B (2010) Down a slippery slope: cognitive changes in pediatric MS. Neurology 75:1128-9 |
| Chabas, D; Ness, J; Belman, A et al. (2010) Younger children with MS have a distinct CSF inflammatory profile at disease onset. Neurology 74:399-405 |
| Christodoulou, Christopher; MacAllister, William S; McLinskey, Nancy A et al. (2008) Treatment of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: is the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors a viable option? CNS Drugs 22:87-97 |
| Christodoulou, Christopher; Melville, Patricia; Scherl, William F et al. (2006) Effects of donepezil on memory and cognition in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 245:127-36 |
| Christodoulou, Christopher; Melville, Patricia; Scherl, William F et al. (2005) Perceived cognitive dysfunction and observed neuropsychological performance: longitudinal relation in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 11:614-9 |
| Krupp, L B; Christodoulou, C; Melville, P et al. (2004) Donepezil improved memory in multiple sclerosis in a randomized clinical trial. Neurology 63:1579-85 |
| Christodoulou, C; Krupp, L B; Liang, Z et al. (2003) Cognitive performance and MR markers of cerebral injury in cognitively impaired MS patients. Neurology 60:1793-8 |
| Krupp, L B; Christodoulou, C (2001) Fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 1:294-8 |
| Krupp, L B; Elkins, L E (2000) Fatigue and declines in cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 55:934-9 |
