Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

A comprehensive randomized study involved 138 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Clinical follow-up of the patients was supplemented by computer-aided tomography in 40 cases and electroencephalo-, rheoencephalo- and echoencephalography in 25 cases. Twenty-five patients were subjected to experimental and psychological examination. Follow-up for as long as 4 years was conducted in 56 patients. The main syndromes of psychic disorders in MS patients were as follows: neurosis-like disturbances (asthenic, hysteriform and obsessive syndromes), affective disturbances (apathic and anxiety depression, euphoria without decreased intellect), as well as organic oligophrenia, psychotic states and epileptiform syndrome in the initial status. Structural changes in the brain were found to be the principal factor in the genesis of the described disorders. The authors propose a differential approach to the treatment of the identified disorders including the use of tranquilizers, antidepressants, neuroleptics and nootropic drugs, as well as methods of rational psychotherapy