Is fatigue associated with cognitive dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease?
Benzi M Kluger1, Kenn Freddy Pedersen2, Ole-Bjorn Tysnes3
1Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12631 E 17thAvenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
|February 17, 2017
Summary
Fatigue in early Parkinson's disease (PD) is linked to visuospatial abilities. This study found that reduced visuospatial function is associated with fatigue in newly diagnosed, drug-naïve PD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in early Parkinson's disease (PD).
- The causes and characteristics of fatigue in PD are not well understood.
- This research investigates the relationship between fatigue and cognitive function in early PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if fatigue in early Parkinson's disease is related to cognitive impairments.
- To identify specific cognitive domains associated with fatigue in de novo PD patients.
Main Methods:
- The study included 184 de novo, drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients from the Norwegian ParkWest project.
- Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).
- Cognitive function was assessed using a comprehensive test battery covering memory, processing speed, executive function, and visuospatial abilities.
Main Results:
- 107 patients (58%) reported moderate to severe fatigue (FSS ≥ 4).
- Univariate analysis showed fatigue correlated with disease severity, sleep issues, depression, apathy, processing speed, and visuospatial abilities.
- Multiple regression identified disease severity, sleep problems, depressive symptoms, and reduced visuospatial abilities as significant predictors of fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue in early Parkinson's disease is significantly associated with impaired visuospatial function.
- Further research is required to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this association.
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