Published on: 3/5/2025
MS can sometimes cause memory problems by affecting brain areas needed for memory, though not everyone with MS experiences this.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where the body's immune system affects the brain and spinal cord. Some people with MS have trouble with their memory and thinking. Research shows that MS can change parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus, which is a region important for learning and remembering things. These skills can make it hard for some people to remember new information or recall things clearly. Not everyone with MS has memory problems, but for those who do, these issues can be a challenge added to other symptoms of the disease. Doctors use different tests and brain scans (like MRIs) to help understand how MS is affecting memory. There are also therapies available that help improve memory skills. These therapies, sometimes called memory rehabilitation, have been studied to see if they can help people with MS remember things better. Understanding how MS affects memory helps doctors and researchers develop better ways to care for people with the disease.
(References)
Benedict RHB, Amato MP, DeLuca J, Geurts JJG. Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: clinical management, MRI, and therapeutic avenues. Lancet Neurol. 2020 Oct;19(10):860-871. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30277-5. Epub 2020 Sep 16. PMID: 32949546; PMCID: PMC10011205.
Taylor LA, Mhizha-Murira JR, Smith L, Potter KJ, Wong D, Evangelou N, Lincoln NB, das Nair R. Memory rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Oct 18;10(10):CD008754. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008754.pub4. PMID: 34661282; PMCID: PMC8521643.
Hulst HE, Schoonheim MM, Van Geest Q, Uitdehaag BM, Barkhof F, Geurts JJ. Memory impairment in multiple sclerosis: Relevance of hippocampal activation and hippocampal connectivity. Mult Scler. 2015 Nov;21(13):1705-12. doi: 10.1177/1352458514567727. Epub 2015 Feb 13. PMID: 25680986.
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