Next Steps in Understanding Cognitive Decline in Aging MS: Dejan Jakimovski, MD, PhD

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"The better we understand what deficits they accumulate as they age, the better we can address this risk versus gain decision that we we’re going to make on a daily basis. That’s one aspect going forward.”

Although cognitive decline has been well-documented among elders with multiple sclerosis (MS), it remains unclear as to how much of that decline is attributable to the disease itself or to other concurrent diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD). In recent years, there have countless studies that have looked at how the disease progresses based on phenotype, but even still, there has not been enough consistency to make conclusions.

New research led by Dejan Jakimovksi, MD, PhD, will take a deeper look at where cognitive decline may be stemming from by assessing certain brain structures and their relationship to different cognitive domains. Jakimovski, research assistant professor, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), claimed there needs to be increased attention toward elders with MS as the average age for patients with MS has steadily improved with the advancements in disease-modifying therapies.

In a recent interview with NeurologyLive®, the expert in imaging discussed the notable topics of discussion for treating cognitive decline in elders with MS, along with the real risk-vs-gain decision clinicians face for some of the more severely impacted groups. Jakimovski also stressed the need to further investigate the relationships between AD, MS, and cognitive decline, and how such clinical trials would need to be carried out.

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