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INTRODUCTION@#Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with cognitive decline but little is known about frontal-subcortical and posterior cortical cognitive functioning in patients with PD. The present study was designed to: (a) compare frontal and posterior cognitive functioning between patients with PD and healthy controls; (b) determine the effect of levodopa (L-dopa) on frontal-subcortical and posterior cortical cognitive functions; and (c) identify predictors of cognitive functions in patients with PD.@*METHODS@#50 patients diagnosed with PD from April 2016 to May 2017 at Civil Hospital, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, and Nishter Hospital Multan, Pakistan, and 50 healthy individuals from the community participated in our study. Patients had two testing sessions - first, at the time of diagnosis before taking L-dopa medication to determine baseline scores; and second, after at least three months of L-dopa medication. Participants completed the Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale.@*RESULTS@#Patients with PD showed impaired performance on frontal-subcortical and posterior cortical functions in contrast with the control group. L-dopa medication had beneficial effects on frontal-subcortical and posterior cortical functioning in patients with PD. Disease duration was a significant predictor of cognitive performance in patients with PD.@*CONCLUSION@#L-dopa medication improves frontal-subcortical and posterior cortical cognitive functioning in patients with PD. Disease duration is a marker of cognitive decline in PD.
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Objectives: To determine [i] levodopa [L-Dopa] responsiveness on cortical functions, health related quality of life and fatigue severity [ii] relationship between cortical functions, health related quality of life and fatigue severity post L-Dopa treatment of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease [I-PD]
Methods: Participants included 50 patients diagnosed with I-PD who were attending Civil and Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during May 2016 to July 2017 and 50 healthy individuals [HI] took part in the study. Participants completed Cortical Function Assessment, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire and Fatigue Severity Scale. Patients were tested twice on these measures: pre and post- L-Dopa treatment
Results: Patients with I-PD showed cortical functioning deficits, deteriorated health related quality of life and experience of severe fatigue, in contrast with HI. There was significant improvement in cortical functioning and quality of life while reduction in fatigue severity was observed after three months of L-Dopa medication in I- PD patients. Higher cortical functioning deficits correlated with deteriorated health related quality of life and severe fatigue. Cortical functioning was a significant predictor of health related quality of life and fatigue severity
Conclusion: L-Dopa is an effective treatment for cortical dysfunctions, health related quality of life and fatigue in I-PD. Cortical functioning is a significant marker of quality of life and fatigue in patients with I-PD
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Objective: To examine vitamin D status and its association with cortical/sub-cortical cognitive functioning in patients with Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Civil Hospital and Nishter Hospital Pakistan during May 2016 to June 2017
Material and Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with PDD at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Civil Hospital and Nishter Hospital Pakistan during May 2016 until June 2017 and fifty healthy individuals participated in the study. Blood samples were examined for serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D. Following, Parkinson's disease cognitive rating scale was administered to assess cortical and sub-cortical cognitive functioning
Results: Results showed that patients with PDD were deficient in serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D and cortical/subcortical cognitive functioning in contrast with healthy individuals. Serum 25 hydroxy Vitamin D and education level of patients with PDD were significant predictors of cortical and subcortical cognitive impairment
Conclusion: Hypovitaminosis D is a biomarker of cortical and subcortical cognitive deficits in patients with PDD
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Objective: To assess effects of levodopa [L-dopa] on personality disturbances and dysexecutive symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease [PD]
Study Design: Prospective test-retest design
Place and Duration of Study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Civil Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during June 2016 to June 2017
Material and Methods: Informants of sixty patients with idiopathic PD rated changes in personality on lowa scale of personality change and dysexecutive symptoms on dysexecutive questionnaire after three months of L-dopa treatment. Informants and clinical psychologist who collected data from informants were both blind to the objective of the study
Results: Personality disturbances and dysexecutive functioning [dysexecutive symptoms, inhibition, social regulation] were significantly reduced post L-dopa treatment
Conclusion: L-dopa is an effective treatment for bringing positive personality and cognition related changes in patients with idiopathic PD