Skip to main content

Transforming cognition with the global multiple sclerosis community

Transforming cognition with the global multiple sclerosis community

Cognitive difficulties of MS are often overlooked, when assessing physical impairments, a need for a feasible cognitive assessment tool was identified.

Assessing the “hidden symptom” of Multiple Sclerosis

2.3 million people worldwide live with multiple sclerosis (MS). Half experience cognitive difficulties adversely affecting their quality of life, including disease management and employment. Often characterised as a “hidden symptom”, MS cognitive difficulties are not obvious in routine consultation and objective assessment is required. The obvious physical impairments imposed by MS overshadow the cognitive challenges and they are often overlooked by health workers, families and employers. Reduced participation and performance were usually, and often wrongly, attributed to physical constraints.

Creating a cognitive assessment tool for MS

Research led by Professor Langdon has resulted in the creation of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) which has reduced the cost, time and training required to assess cognitive function in MS, increasing awareness and access to appropriate care.

188 centres globally have registered with the BICAMS website, which includes access to real time calculation of national norms for individuals and every year over 11,000 patients are routinely assessed on BICAMS around the world. BICAMS has benefitted health professionals by increasing their MS cognition skills. BICAMS has also facilitated cognition as an outcome in major treatment trials.

Increasing accessibility

BICAMS has had a major impact on the clinical management of MS worldwide. The battery is being translated and validated in thirty countries (24 published to date) in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America. This has raised the awareness of BICAMS amongst professionals across the world, but has also enhanced the awareness of tools, professional development and knowledge surrounding MS cognition. The pharmaceutical industry has also embraced BICAMS, ensuring that it can be accessed globally for example global company Merck uses the BICAMS battery to measure cognition as a treatment outcome during ongoing MS therapy trials.

 

Related topics

Explore Royal Holloway

Arrivals Sept 2017 77 1.jpg

Get help paying for your studies at Royal Holloway through a range of scholarships and bursaries.

clubs-societies_REDUCED.jpg

There are lots of exciting ways to get involved at Royal Holloway. Discover new interests and enjoy existing ones.

Accommodation home hero

Heading to university is exciting. Finding the right place to live will get you off to a good start.

Support and wellbeing 2022 teaser.jpg

Whether you need support with your health or practical advice on budgeting or finding part-time work, we can help.

Founders, clock tower, sky, ornate

Discover more about our academic departments and schools.

REF_2021.png

Find out why Royal Holloway is in the top 25% of UK universities for research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Immersive Technology

Royal Holloway is a research intensive university and our academics collaborate across disciplines to achieve excellence.

volunteering 10th tenth Anniversary Sculpture - research.jpg

Discover world-class research at Royal Holloway.

First years Emily Wilding Davison Building front view

Discover more about who we are today, and our vision for the future.

RHC PH.100.1.3 Founders south east 1886.w

Royal Holloway began as two pioneering colleges for the education of women in the 19th century, and their spirit lives on today.

Notable alumni Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

We’ve played a role in thousands of careers, some of them particularly remarkable.

Governance

Find about our decision-making processes and the people who lead and manage Royal Holloway today.