16-years of interferon treatment aids cognition

Early treatment with interferon-beta has a positive impact on cognition at 16 years. #MSBlog #MSResearch

Epub: Lacy et al.The effects of long-term interferon- beta-1b treatment on cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis: a 16-year longitudinal study. Mult Scler. 2013.

BACKGROUND: MS is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that affects cognition. Short-term treatment with interferon-beta-1b (IFN-beta-1b) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cognition.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effects of IFN-beta-1b on cognitive functioning in MSers over the course of 16 years.

METHODS: Sixteen subjects with relapsing-remitting MS participated in the study. Nine of these subjects received IFN-b-1b, while seven received placebo treatment in the pivotal MS trial. After five years, all subjects were switched to IFN-beta-1b treatment. At two and four years into the study, all subjects underwent a brief neuropsychological test battery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neurologic ratings; measures were repeated at 16 years.

RESULTS: Across the total cohort, cognitive functioning remained relatively stable over the course of 16 years. The placebo/IFN-beta-b group exhibited increased visual memory performance relative to the IFN-beta-1b treatment group, but had a greater decline in verbal memory. Initial MRI lesion load demonstrated a significant, negative correlation with overall cognitive performance at 16 years (p = 0.00).

CONCLUSION: They conclude that IFN-beta-1b has beneficial effects on long-term cognition outcomes in MS.


"A small but interesting study. Interferon has a positive effect on cognition; i.e. it delays its progression. Delaying interferon therapy by 2 years has a negative impact; those who were on placebo for at least 2 years did worse than those on active treatment. If interferon has an effect like this imagine the potential of the newer more effective therapies on cognitive function?"

"These results are consistent with a body of other evidence showing that delaying the use of DMTs has a negative impact on MSers. Time to adopt early treatment?"

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