AI Summary
Cognitive impairment is a major issue in multiple sclerosis, affecting daily life and self-care. It is more common and severe in progressive MS, and worsens with age, fatigue, depression, and neural damage. Lifestyle and cognitive reserve also play a role.
Cognitive impairment can be one of the most disabling aspects of multiple sclerosis, substantially affecting everyday functioning, community participation, and self-care.1 People with progressive multiple sclerosis are more likely to have cognitive impairment, and impairment can be more severe across cognitive domains, than in the relapsing-remitting stage.2 Worsening of cognitive impairment is related to greater neural damage, older age, and increased fatigue and depression, as well as background factors such as lifestyle and cognitive reserve.