Berard JA, Walker LAS, Smith AM and Freedman MS
Deficits in information processing speed are common in individuals with MS, but adequate detection of such is fraught with methodological difficulties. The Computerized Test of Information Processing (CTIP) is a relatively new measure that addresses some of these methodological concerns. The equivalency of a desktop and fMRI scanner version of the CTIP at detecting cognitive impairment and monitoring cognition over time was examined in a sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Six individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of MS completed both the desktop and a modified scanner version of the CTIP at baseline and 3 year follow-up. Both forms of the task remained equally as sensitive at detecting cognitive impairment across the two time points. Similarly, reaction time performance was generally equivalent across both forms although participants made more errors on the scanner task. No participant demonstrated reliably significant change in performance over time. A modified version of the CTIP adapted for use in an fMRI environment holds promise for the detection of information processing speed deficits in MS.