Antonyms: A Performance Metric to Assess Word-Finding Difficulty in Multiple Sclerosis

Word-finding difficulty, also known as the "tip-of-the-tongue" phenomenon, is a common issue for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite its prevalence, validated metrics for assessing this common symptom have been lacking. The "Antonyms" task is a novel metric designed to evaluate word-finding difficulties. This task assesses the retrieval of target phonological codes through a brief, clinically feasible paradigm that controls for other cognitive processes. A study involving 660 patients demonstrated that the Antonyms task has good test-retest reliability (0.85). It also showed better criterion validity compared to traditional language tasks. Specifically, the Antonyms task was found to be related to patient-reported difficulties with expressive language, but not with working memory, executive function/speed, or episodic memory. Thus, this method represents a specific tool for assessing word-finding problems in MS.