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Prominent role of executive functioning on the Phonemic Fluency Test in people with multiple sclerosis.

Authors :
Pitteri, Marco
Vannucci, Manila
Dapor, Caterina
Guandalini, Maddalena
Daffinà, Angelica
Marastoni, Damiano
Calabrese, Massimiliano
Source :
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society; Nov2023, Vol. 29 Issue 9, p902-906, 5p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Objective: Executive functioning (EF) can be one of the earliest, despite under-detected, impaired cognitive domains in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, it is still not clear the role of EF on verbal fluency tests given the presence of information processing speed (IPS) deficits in pwMS. Method: Performance of a group of 43 pwMS without IPS impairment as measured with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and a group of 32 healthy controls (HC) was compared on the Phonemic and Semantic Fluency Tests. For each group, we scored the number of words generated (i) in the early time interval (i.e., first 15 sec, semi-automatic process) and (ii) in the late time interval (i.e., from 15 to 60 sec, controlled process). Results: Globally, pwMS produced significantly fewer words than HC on the Phonemic but not on the Semantic Fluency Test. Crucially, in the Phonemic Fluency Test pwMS generated significantly fewer words than HC in the late time interval, whereas no significant difference between the two groups emerged in the early time interval. Conclusions: These findings suggest that executive dysfunction is the core element on the Phonemic Fluency Test also in pwMS and it deserves attention in both research and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13556177
Volume :
29
Issue :
9
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
172826586
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617723000139