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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Characterizing the Relationship Between Eye Movement Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Non-demented Parkinson's Disease Patients with Eye Tracking

Characterizing the Relationship Between Eye Movement Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Non-demented Parkinson's Disease Patients with Eye Tracking

Published on: September 26, 2019

Executive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a review.

Georg Dirnberger¹, Marjan Jahanshahi

¹Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Preventive Medicine, Danube University, Krems, Austria. m.jahanshahi@ucl.ac.uk

Journal of Neuropsychology

|September 7, 2013

Summary

Executive dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting attention, planning, and decision-making. Dopaminergic medication offers variable effects on these cognitive deficits.

Keywords:

Parkinson's disease cognition dopamine overdose executive function

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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

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Published on: September 26, 2019

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Published on: July 24, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurology
Cognitive Science

Background:

Executive dysfunction is an early and significant feature of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Deficits manifest in attention, planning, decision-making, and social cognition.
These cognitive impairments impact daily living and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

To define executive dysfunction (EF) in PD and outline relevant neuropsychological tests.
To explore the relationship between EFs, basal ganglia pathology, and disease progression.
To examine the effects of dopaminergic medication on executive function in PD.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on executive function in Parkinson's disease.
Analysis of neuropsychological tests for assessing executive deficits.
Discussion of neurobiological correlates and treatment impacts.

Main Results:

Executive dysfunction in PD involves deficits in attention, set-shifting, planning, and inhibitory control.
Dopaminergic medication shows inconsistent effects, improving some EFs while leaving others unchanged or worsened.
EF deficits correlate with motor symptoms (e.g., gait instability) and psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression).

Conclusions:

Executive dysfunction is a core feature of Parkinson's disease with complex underlying mechanisms.
Understanding these deficits is crucial for managing PD and improving patient outcomes.
Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies for cognitive impairments in PD.