Deciphering components of impaired working memory in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: To identify working memory (WM) impairment by examining components of auditory working memory with the same sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background: Although individuals with MS have consistently demonstrated WM impairments, the specific components involved (i.e., central executive versus storage/maintenance) remain unclear.

Method: Individuals with MS with and without cognitive impairment and healthy controls were administered a task primarily assessing storage and rehearsal/maintenance (auditory n-back) and a task with a significant central executive component (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task).

Results: Results indicate when the phonological loop is minimally challenged, maintenance of information is generally efficient. However, the addition of a central executive component to processing appears to be the key factor in differentiating individuals with MS with cognitive impairment from those without cognitive impairment and healthy controls.

Conclusions: Results indicated that the primary WM impairment in MS is within the central executive rather than the phonological loop.