Can we identify and manage cognitive changes better?
- Lead researcher:
- Professor Roshan das Nair
- Based at:
- University of Nottingham
- MS Society funding:
- £74,247
- Status:
- Complete
We know up to 80% of people with MS experience cognitive changes. These can include problems with memory and thinking, attention or multitasking.
Cognitive problems can be difficult to identify until they become severe, and can have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life. Right now there isn’t a clear system for identifying and managing this symptom in the NHS.
We want to develop a cognitive screening pathway for people with MS. This would mean clinicians could routinely screen for cognitive changes, and help them to identify if someone could benefit from a more detailed assessment and/or cognitive rehabilitation.
What happens in the project?
Our researchers will first review what we already know about cognitive screening, in MS and in other conditions. They will use this knowledge to develop a new cognitive screening pathway in collaboration with people with MS and other stakeholders. They will then begin to test the potential benefits in a small trial.
The trial will help us to understand how we can fully test the benefits and cost effectiveness of this programme, which is vital if we are to make this a routine part of MS clinics.
How will it help people with MS?
Finding effective treatments that can improve cognition for people with MS is one of our top 10 research priorities. But in order to offer the right treatment and support for people experiencing cognitive problems, we need to have systems in place that can help clinicians to identify cognitive changes.
The difference you can make
We want everyone with MS to have access to the services and support they need to live well with MS. With your help, we can continue to support vital research like this.
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