OCT and Early Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis

Retinal Thickness as a Potential Biomarker of Neurodegeneration and Early Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between cognitive impairment and retinal nerve fiber layer & ganglion cell inner plexiform layer in MS.

Cross-sectional study design, including 60 patients and 30 healthy controls. Subjects were investigated clinically, underwent retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) and comprehensive cognitive assessments. The correlation between these modalities was evaluated by Spearman correlation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 60 MS patients diagnosed according to the revised McDonald criteria 2010 were included
• 30 healthy subjects with age and sex match control group.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical disorder other than MS that may grossly affect cognitive functions
• Pregnancy,
• Previous neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders,
• Alcohol or drug abuse,
• MRI findings which could not be attributed to MS.
• Severe visual disorders (> ± 6.0 dpt.)
• History of ocular surgery, glaucoma or diabetes.