Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Cognitive impairment is a sometimes neglected, yet common, sign and symptom with a profound effect on instrumental activities of daily living.
Even before diagnosis, patients may experience cognitive dysfunction that manifests through symptoms such as memory lapses or difficulty with finding the right words in conversation. The Seeker desires a tool for assessing cognitive function and tracking performance over time.
A skull model. Image credit: Pixabay via Pexels (Free Pexels licence)
Overview
Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, a protective coating that surrounds nerve cells. Without the insulation of myelin, electrical impulses cannot be transmitted quickly or efficiently leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of balance and coordination, vision loss, and fatigue. In addition to these physical impairments, patients may also experience a decline in cognitive function.
The most common test for cognitive screening in MS is the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS), but it is not routinely used in clinical practice as it requires trained personnel for administration and can be time-consuming. Therefore, the Seeker is interested in new approaches to assess cognitive function that can be used on a periodic basis without the help of a licensed professional and ideally done reliably from home.
Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on July 23, 2021.
Source: InnoCentive