BALTIMORE, July 11 (UPI) -- Medications that affect the central nervous system can impact cognitive function and fatigue in multiple-sclerosis patients, find U.S. researchers.
Investigators compared assessments of cognitive function and fatigue for 70 volunteers. Results showed that MS patients widely used CNS-active medications and only 15 percent did not take any CNS-active medications.
Of the participants, 29 percent were taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, commonly used for depression, and 17 percent were taking an anti-epileptic drug, usually to help control pain.
Participants who took CNS-active medications were more likely to have cognitive problems, especially with cognitive functions dependent on speed. Ratings of fatigue were also greater in volunteers taking CNS-active medications.
The findings are published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development.
