Parkinson Secrets
Expert Tips and Interviews on Living with Parkinson's Disease
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Michael Okun Indu Subramanian Jonny Acheson

 

What is the likelihood of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease?

Nice article in Nature Reviews by Aarsland https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-021-00280-3

We have found that many clinicians will “dance around” the question of, “what is the likelihood I will have cognitive decline with my Parkinson’s.” Check out our video tip on this topic.

Here is the truth.

  • What is cognition? Cognition includes the “mental abilities” used to process information and to apply knowledge.

  • First, there is a difference between cognitive impairment and dementia.

  • Most experts agree that cognitive impairment is defined as when a decline in intellectual abilities interferes with your life.

  • So here is the truth… half of people with Parkinson’s disease have some cognitive decline or impairment. This does not mean that these folks can’t function, and in fact many, if not most, lead very productive lives.

  • Dementia on the other hand refers to a “syndrome.”

  • 40% of Parkinson’s disease folks will develop dementia at some point in their disease course— and it usually occurs in later Parkinson’s disease years.

  • If you have Parkinson’s disease dementia you will experience problems in “more than one cognitive domain.”

  • What are the cognitive domains? The American Psychiatric Association has defined 6 cognitive domains. 1- memory and learning, 2- language, 3- executive functions, 4- complex attention, 5- social cognition, and 6- perceptual and motor functions.

  • A neuropsychologist can perform paper and pencil as well as other mental tests to assess all of these domains. They can inform you of any cognitive decline or dementia.

To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check on Twitter @MichaelOkun and these websites with blogs and information on his books and http://parkinsonsecrets.com/ #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonsFromTheBedside

He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

To see more on Dr. Indu Subramanian she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance.

The blog artist is Jonny Acheson.

Michael Okun