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Validity of the minimal assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MACFIMS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2006

RALPH H.B. BENEDICT ,
DIANE COOKFAIR ,
REBECCA GAVETT ,
MARK GUNTHER ,
FREDERICK MUNSCHAUER ,
NEETA GARG  and
BIANCA WEINSTOCK-GUTTMAN
RALPH H.B. BENEDICT
Affiliation:
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Division of Departmental and Behavioral Neurosciences, Buffalo, New York, USA
DIANE COOKFAIR
Affiliation:
Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York, USA
REBECCA GAVETT
Affiliation:
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Division of Departmental and Behavioral Neurosciences, Buffalo, New York, USA
MARK GUNTHER
Affiliation:
Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York, USA
FREDERICK MUNSCHAUER
Affiliation:
Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York, USA
NEETA GARG
Affiliation:
Jacobs Neurological Institute, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York, USA
BIANCA WEINSTOCK-GUTTMAN
Affiliation:
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Division of Departmental and Behavioral Neurosciences, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Abstract

Cognitive impairment occurs in roughly 50% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is well known that processing speed and episodic memory deficits are the most common neuropsychological (NP) sequelae in this illness. Consensus has emerged about the specific tests that prove most helpful for routine monitoring of MS associated cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS), a recommended battery based on the findings of an international conference held in 2001. We tested 291 MS patients and 56 healthy controls. Frequencies of impairment paralleled those reported in previous work for both individual cognitive domains and general impairment. All tests were impaired in the MS group, and distinguished relapsing-remitting (RR) from secondary progressive (SP) course. Principle components analysis showed a distinct episodic memory component. Most of the MACFIMS tests discriminated disabled from employed patients. However, in regression models accounting for all NP tests, those emphasizing verbal memory and executive function were most predictive of vocational status. We conclude that the MACFIMS is a valid approach to routine NP assessment of MS patients. Future work is planned to determine its psychometric properties in a longitudinal study. (JINS, 2006, 12, 549–558.)

Keywords

Multiple sclerosisProcessing speedMemoryNeuropsychological testingValidityEmployment
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , July 2006 , pp. 549 - 558
Copyright
© 2006 The International Neuropsychological Society

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