Background: Cognitive impairment is a great challenge in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). We present a neuropsychological assessment in a PD population using a standardized battery based on Movement disorders Society recommendations.
Patients and methods: We evaluated extensively different cognitive domains (attention, memory, language, executive functions and processing speed) and depressive symptoms in a prospective cohort of PD patients in control in our center, using a standardized neuropsychological battery.
Results: Twenty five patients were included. Age (mean+/−SD) was 60.8 ± 11.7 years, 28% were females. PD evolution was between 2 and 15 years. Alterations in at least one neuropsychological test were present in 100% of subjects. Dementia was diagnosed in 18% of patients, whereas mild cognitive impairment was present in 36% of the cases. Dementia was present in 60% of those older than 70 years. MoCA test was affected in 80% of cases (Z: −2.6 ± 1.9). AVLT (Episodic auditive verbal memory) was altered in 84% of subjects (Z: −3,8 ± 2.0). BVMT (Visuospatial memory) was affected in 44% of patients (Z: −1.4 ± 0.9). Boston test (semantic memory) was altered in 40 subjects (Z:−1.1 ± 1.2). TMT-A (visual attention) was altered in 32% of cases (Z: 0.6 ± 2.4). Digit Span (Auditive attention) was affected in 32% of patients (Z: −0.4 ± 1.8). SDMT (Processing speed) was altered in 24% of cases (Z:-0.4 ± 1.0). FAS (cognitive alternancy) was affected in 28% of subjects (Z:−0.5 ± 1.4). The tower test of D-KEFS was altered in 20%, (Z:−0,5 ± 1.4). Depressive symptoms were present in 53% of patients.
Discussion: We found a high percentage of cognitive alterations in our PD population. Both verbal and visual episodic memory were affected in 50% of patients. As previously reported, older patients were more affected by dementia.
FONDECYT N° 11130534.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.
