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Cognitive rehabilitation in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

Cognitive impairment can be detected in a sizeable proportion of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. It involves memory, complex attention, information processing speed, executive functions, linguistic abilities, and intelligent quotient. It has a great impact on school, everyday and social activities, and significantly progresses overtime in the great majority of the subjects. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive and systematic assessment of MS-related cognitive difficulties in pediatric cases. Moreover, despite the acknowledged relevance of cognitive impairment in this age range, specific interventions for pediatric MS are lacking. As for rehabilitative strategies, there is some evidence of efficacy in other diseases, in particular brain trauma, tumor, and stroke. The development of effective rehabilitative strategies tailored to the needs of young MS patients is a priority for future research in the field.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest related to the publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni, 85, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Emilio Portaccio, Benedetta Goretti, Valentina Zipoli, Bahia Hakiki, Marta Giannini, Luisa Pastò, Lorenzo Razzolini & Maria Pia Amato

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  1. Emilio Portaccio
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  2. Benedetta Goretti
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  3. Valentina Zipoli
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  4. Bahia Hakiki
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  5. Marta Giannini
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  6. Luisa Pastò
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  7. Lorenzo Razzolini
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  8. Maria Pia Amato
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Correspondence to Emilio Portaccio.

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Portaccio, E., Goretti, B., Zipoli, V. et al. Cognitive rehabilitation in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 31 (Suppl 2), 275–278 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0377-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0377-3

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