Around 30% of all patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) experience some type of cognitive impairment or decline at the time of diagnosis. Around 50% of patients experience some of these effects over the course of their lifetime.
But thankfully, there are ways to not only address these issues, but to even reverse some of the changes. Better yet, many of these strategies can be completed right from a patients home.
RRMS
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is the most common form of the condition. It comprises 85% of all patients. The name refers to cycles of relapses and remissions that patients experience. Symptoms are not experienced linearly and as time goes on, symptoms worsen.
This unfortunately includes cognitive symptoms.
Since MS causes lesions within different places in the brain, symptoms vary depending on where those lesions are. That said, the most commonly affected areas of the brain impact memory, concentration, the ability to pay attention, visual-spatial abilities, information processing speed, verbal fluency, and executive functions.
One of the best options for patients is to work with rehabilitation specialists. There is sadly not a drug that can fix all of these problems. But cognitive rehabilitation therapy allows for a personalized approach to recovery. It allows for the brain to learn how to process information more effectively.
Fortunately, many of these strategies are things that patients can also do at home. Continue to read this article of ideas at improving cognitive function.