Cognitive impairment in patients with parkinson's disease

ABSTRACT

Although Parkinson's disease has been regarded primarily as a disorder of movement, there is considerable evidence that a substantial proportion of sufferers also show impairment of cognitive functions. The relationship between disordered movement and impaired cognitive function is of great clinical and theoretical importance. To study cognitive impairment in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Thirty idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients were included. Forty three percent were males and the rest were females. Their mean age was 61.7 +/- 7.4 years. Twenty controls matching in age, sex and educational level as far as possible were selected. Two neuropsychological tests were applied to both groups Mini-mental state examination [MMSE] and Stanford-Binnet 4th edition tests. On the basis of the results of MMSE, patients were further subdivided into two groups those with cognitive impairment [Group A] and those without cognitive impairment [Group B]. Patients with Parkinson's disease showed marked impairment in attention and calculation, language, memory and perception and visuospatial function compared to normal controls. Age and Educational level played a significant role in cognitive impairment in PD patients. Cognitive impairments were found more in Akinetic-dominant type patients and PD patients not receiving L-Dopa medication, however, no significant relation to the duration of such treatment could be specified. There was significant cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease. MMSE was found to be very suitable, brief and quick tool in reporting cognitive impairment in PD patients. However Stanford Binnet was the tool of choice for pr‚cising the specific areas of cognitive impairment. Hence it may be used for follow up of therapeutic programs