NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN A NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SETTING

Abstract

This study had the aims of: 1) replicating two previous studies done in the area of behavioral aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS); and 2) comparing the performance of MS patients on a series of neuropsychological tests with neuropsychiatric patients and patients with various forms of brain damage other than MS. In both cases the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the Halstead Battery of Neuropsychological Tests were used as the behavioral measures. With regard to the replication, differences were found among studies on the Wechsler Scales, but not on the neuropsychological tests. The performance patterns were similar in all three studies. The comparison among MS, neuropsychiatric, and brain-damaged patients revealed that the major difference among these groups appeared on tests of various aspects of motor functioning.