Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Individuals With a History of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

Abstract

We describe cognitive and behavioral outcomes in 12 males and 7 females diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in childhood. Age at assessment ranged from 6 to 23 years and all participants were at least 2 years post-ADEM presentation (mean 5.4 years). Performance was compared with 18 control subjects. Three of 19 ADEM patients met criteria for cognitive impairment, defined as performance falling ≤1.5 SD on at least three tests. Age at ADEM-onset was not associated with outcome. Despite the transient nature of the illness and absence of persistent physical disability, cognitive sequelae occur in some individuals following childhood ADEM.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Carolynn Darryl and Julie Coleman for assistance with recruitment and testing of research participants. We also thank the children and families who generously contributed their time to this research.

Notes

Funding for this research was provided in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, and the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation. No conflict of interest is declared.