Longitudinal changes in prospective memory in patients with Parkinson's disease
Alfonsina D'Iorio1, Giovanni Luca Di Benedetto2, Carmine Vitale3,4
1Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico, 31, Caserta, Italy. alfonsina.diorio@unicampania.it.
Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
|January 6, 2026
Summary
Prospective memory deficits in Parkinson's disease primarily affect event-based tasks over time. Early assessment of global cognition is key to managing prospective memory decline and maintaining daily functioning in PD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Prospective Memory (PM), the ability to remember future intentions, is crucial for daily functioning.
- PM deficits are common in Parkinson's Disease (PD), but their longitudinal progression is unstudied.
- Understanding PM changes in PD is vital for early detection of cognitive decline and timely interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in Prospective Memory (PM) in non-demented Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients.
- To explore the relationship between PM evolution and cognitive, motor, and functional domains in PD.
- To identify predictors of PM performance over time in PD.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 20 non-demented PD patients assessed over five years.
- Prospective Memory evaluated using the Memory for Intentions Screening Test.
- Clinical, neuropsychological (verbal memory, executive functions), and functional assessments were conducted.
Main Results:
- Significant impairments were observed in event-based PM (EBPM) over the follow-up period.
- No significant changes were found in time-based PM (TBPM) between baseline and follow-up.
- Baseline global cognitive functioning was a significant predictor of follow-up PM performance.
Conclusions:
- Prospective Memory deficits in PD are closely linked to broader cognitive impairments.
- Interventions targeting global cognition are crucial for mitigating PM decline and supporting functional autonomy in PD.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to validate findings and develop targeted interventions.
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