Correlates of memory in Parkinson's disease

There is much controversy concerning the incidence and nature of dementia, particularly memory impairment, in the parkinsonian patient. Specifically, a question arises with respect to the relationship of numerous personal, neurological, medication, and disability variables to this memory impairment. We administered a recently developed standardized test of recent memory functions to 53 idiopathic parkinsonian patients undergoing Sinemet treatment. Memory scores were correlated with age, sex, education, marital status, length of illness, age at onset of illness, dosage and time on medication, functional status, and the major symptoms of parkinsonism. Of all factors assessed, only increased bradykinesia correlated consistently and pervasively with impaired memory. Some possible explanations are offered.