MS-Perspektive

Episode 49 of the international MS-Perspektive #podcast: CogeX Study Insights for Progressive MS on Cognitive Rehabilitation with Prof. Anthony Feinstein Today, I’m talking to Prof. Dr. Anthony Feinstein from the University of Toronto about the results of the CogeX study that focussed on improving cognitive function, especially processing speed of patients with progressive MS. Even in the preliminary phase of MS, when those affected are diagnosed with a clinically isolated syndrome, cognitive problems occur in around 30% of cases. As multiple sclerosis progresses, the proportion increases steadily and is between 70 and 90 percent in primary and secondary MS. However, little research has been conducted into how cognitive impairment can be counteracted and how cognitive performance can even be improved. The international study was funded by MS Canada and included researchers and patients in the USA, the UK, Italy and Denmark in addition to Canada. After a short introduction of Prof. Dr. Anthony Feinstein we are starting with the basics and he explains what cognitive impairment in progressive MS means. We move on to what benefits cognitive rehabilitation would mean in daily life and talk about the role of aerobic exercise. Finally we move into the results and findings of the CogeX study, which are that it is very important to train your brain in all aspects including social interaction. So far not all data is finally analyzed and the imaging with MRI will help to find out what was different between the 2/3 of patients who improved compared to 1/3 that did not. Very exciting topic and so important that research is now starting to focus more on the progressive patients which are definitely in need for ways to improve cognitive function in order to uplift quality of life again. You can find the epsiodes wherever you listen to podcasts and on my blog, where you can read the full transcript of the interview as well: https://lnkd.in/eieX7etR #MultipleSclerosis #ProgressiveMS