West Orange, NJ. Nov. 15, 2011. John DeLuca, PhD, Vice President for Research at Kessler Foundation presented findings on the use of a behavioral technique for cognitive rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Lead investigator was Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of the Neuropsychology & Neuroscience Laboratory at Kessler Foundation. The presentation on modified Story Memory Technique was made on October 21, 2011 in Amsterdam at the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS).
Two Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) have been conducted to examine changes in neuropsychological memory measures post-treatment, one using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised and the other using the California Verbal Learning Test - II. Changes were also examined in patterns of cerebral activation on fMRI post-treatment during performance of learning and memory tasks. No baseline activation differences on fMRI were seen between groups. After treatment, greater activation was evident in the treatment group during performance of a memory task within a widespread cortical network involving frontal, parietal, precuneus, and parahippocampal regions. "These findings add to our understanding of memory processes in MS," said Dr. DeLuca, "and will help us determine effective interventions for cognitive rehabilitation. "
This work was funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Pilot Grant PP0792) and the National Institutes of Health (1R01HD045798 and 1R01HD045798S). Both investigators have faculty appointments at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.
About Kessler Foundation
Kessler Foundation is the largest public charity in the field of disability. Kessler Foundation Research Center advances care through rehabilitation research in six specialized laboratories under the leadership of noted research directors. Research focuses on improving function and quality of life for persons with injuries of the spinal cord and brain, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic neurological conditions. Kessler Foundation Program Center fosters new approaches to the persistently high rates of unemployment among people disabled by injury or disease. Targeted grant making funds promising programs across the nation. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, people recovering from catastrophic injuries and stroke, and young adults striving for independence are among the thousands of people finding jobs and training for careers as a result of the commitment of Kessler Foundation.
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