Use of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for early diagnosis of cognitive disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis | Ukrainian Medical Journal

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by neuroinflammation of the central nervous system, which gradually leads to demyelination, axonal loss, and neurodegeneration, which in turn leads to volume loss. MS mainly affects the young working population and is a socio-economically significant disease. Cognitive impairment develops in approximately 40–70% of patients. Violation of memory, speed of information processing, attention, executive functions can be manifested already in the early stages of the disease. The presence of cognitive deficits at the time of MS diagnosis is considered a marker of unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to have a short reliable test to assess cognitive status.

The purpose of the study: to analyze the existing tests used for the diagnosis of cognitive disorders in patients with MS, to evaluate their effectiveness, accessibility for patients and medical personnel, to determine potential factors influencing the indicators of cognitive functions. When screening and monitoring cognitive impairment, it is important to consider the impact of the following factors: fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, general physical disability, and side effects of medications. Studies show that long-term testing requires significant medical resources and is exhausting for the patient. That is why the search for the optimal screening test for routine use continues.

Conclusion. Early detection of cognitive impairment is of primary importance. The MoCA, on par with other short tests (such as the SDMT), allows for quick and effective detection of cognitive impairment in patients with MS, simplifying their diagnosis and facilitating timely referral to a more in-depth neuropsychological assessment and can be recommended for use in outpatient settings.

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