Population-based case-control study of cognitive function in early Parkinson's disease (NEDICES)
Julián Benito-León1, Elan D Louis, Ignacio J Posada
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. jbenitol@meditex.es
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 22, 2011
Summary
Cognitive deficits are common in early Parkinson's disease (PD). Even with less than five years of disease duration, patients show impairments in memory and verbal fluency, highlighting the need for early clinical vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Population-based studies on cognitive function in early Parkinson's disease (PD) are limited.
- Assessing cognitive deficits in early PD is crucial for timely intervention.
- This study investigates cognitive function in older adults with early-stage PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if patients with early Parkinson's disease exhibit cognitive deficits compared to age-matched controls.
- To identify specific cognitive domains affected in the early stages of PD.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 46 early PD patients (duration <5 years) from the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES) study was compared to 138 matched controls (age ≥65).
- Neuropsychological test scores were analyzed using logistic regression, adjusting for gender, education, and depressive symptoms.
- Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, verbal fluency tests (animal, fruit), and a delayed free recall memory test.
Main Results:
- 34.8% of early PD patients had undiagnosed PD.
- Subjective memory complaints were more frequent in PD patients (58.7%) than controls (37.0%).
- PD patients performed significantly worse on global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), verbal fluency, and delayed recall memory tests compared to controls, even after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment, both subjective and objective, is prevalent in older individuals with early Parkinson's disease.
- Patients with PD of less than five years duration demonstrate notable deficits in global cognition, verbal fluency, and memory.
- Clinicians should maintain a high level of awareness for cognitive difficulties in patients during the initial stages of PD.
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