Interference Effect of Prior Explicit Information on Motor Sequence Learning in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Original Article Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most widespread disabling neurological condition in young adults around the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of explicit information (EI) on motor-sequence learning in MS patients.Methods: Thirty patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), age: 29.5 (SD = 5.6) years and 30 healthy gender-, age-, and education-matched control group participants, age: 28.8 (SD = 6.0) years, were recruited for this study. The participants in the healthy group were then randomly assigned into an EI (n = 15) group and a no-EI (n = 15) group. Similarly, the participants in the control group were then randomly assigned into EI (n = 15) and no-EI (n = 15) groups. The participants performed a serial reaction time (SRT) task and reaction times. A retention test was performed after 48 hours.Results: All participants reduced their reaction times across acquisition (MS group: 46.4 (SD = 3.3) minutes, P < 0.001, and healthy group: 39.4 (SD = 3.3) minutes, P < 0.001). The findings for the within-participants effect of repeated measures of time were significant (F (5.06,

Lesion load assessment among multiple sclerosis patient using DIR, FLAIR, and T2WI sequences

“…Although conventional MRI sequences are not successful in cortical lesions demonstration, and despite the advances in new MR techniques such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), still conventional MRI protocols playing an important role in early diagnosis of MS or CIS (suggestive of MS) [4][5][6].…”

“…Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting to neurological disorder in both the youth and the elderly in the worldwide and accounts for about 1.5% of neurological abnormalities, associated with a progressive physical damage [1,2]. The disease affects the calloso-septal interface, periventricular white matter, cerebellum, and brain stem [3,4]. Several studies revealed that most MS lesion load histologically are on the cerebral cortex specifically the gray matter and white mater interface [5], which commonly associated with cognitive disability which can be revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [6].…”

Motor sequence learning in a goal‐directed stepping task in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

“…Sequence learning has occurred when reaction times and/or errors are decreased in the repeated sequences as compared with random stimuli. 23,24 Studies comparing motor sequence learning in upper-limb tasks between pwMS and healthy adults indicated, in general, similar performance improvements during implicit conditions, but reduced improvements under explicit conditions, 12,13,[17][18][19] although contrastingly Tacchino et al reported no improvements for pwMS in the implicit condition, while healthy adults did improve. 21 Furthermore, only four studies examined both implicit and explicit learning conditions within pwMS, and contrasting results were reported on differences between those conditions in pwMS, with two studies reporting less learning in explicit conditions 17,18 and two in implicit conditions.…”

“…23,24 Studies comparing motor sequence learning in upper-limb tasks between pwMS and healthy adults indicated, in general, similar performance improvements during implicit conditions, but reduced improvements under explicit conditions, 12,13,[17][18][19] although contrastingly Tacchino et al reported no improvements for pwMS in the implicit condition, while healthy adults did improve. 21 Furthermore, only four studies examined both implicit and explicit learning conditions within pwMS, and contrasting results were reported on differences between those conditions in pwMS, with two studies reporting less learning in explicit conditions 17,18 and two in implicit conditions. 12,21 However, in pwMS, motor impairments in walking and balance are prevalent, and it is unknown whether the findings on motor sequence learning from the abovementioned upper-limb tasks generalize to motor tasks involving dynamic balance.…”

“…Sequential movements are an essential component in daily life functioning, 16 think of typing, tying a knot, or riding a bike. Experimentally, these seven studies all used a serial reaction time (SRT) paradigm involving the upper limb, such as key pressing tasks, 12,[17][18][19] touching the right finger with the thumb, 20,21 or an isometric visuomotor tracking task. 22 Within this paradigm, participants are required to react as fast as possible to certain stimuli, while repeated sequences of stimuli are hidden between random stimuli, either known (explicit) or unbeknownst (implicit) to the participant.…”