Reading Comprehension in Parkinson's Disease

Purpose Although individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) self-report reading problems and experience difficulties in cognitive–linguistic functions that support discourse-level reading, prior research has primarily focused on sentence-level processing and auditory comprehension. Accordingly, the authors investigated the presence and nature of reading comprehension in PD, hypothesizing that (a) individuals with PD would display impaired accuracy and/or speed on reading comprehension tests and (b) reading performances would be correlated with cognitive test results. Method Eleven adults with PD and 9 age- and education-matched control participants completed tests that evaluated reading comprehension; general language and cognitive abilities; and aspects of attention, memory, and executive functioning. Result The PD group obtained significantly lower scores on several, but not all, reading comprehension, language, and cognitive measures. Memory, language, and disease severity were significantly correlated with reading comprehension for the PD group. Conclusion Individuals in the early stages of PD without dementia or broad cognitive deficits can display reading comprehension difficulties, particularly for high- versus basic-level reading tasks. These reading difficulties are most closely related to memory, high-level language, and PD symptom severity status. The findings warrant additional research to delineate further the types and nature of reading comprehension impairments experienced by individuals with PD.

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High-Level Language Production in Parkinson's Disease: A Review

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.4061/2011/238956 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Lori J. P. Altmann ◽

Michelle S. Troche

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Language Production ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Syntactic Complexity ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Discourse Production ◽

High Level ◽

The Brain

This paper discusses impairments of high-level, complex language production in Parkinson's disease (PD), defined as sentence and discourse production, and situates these impairments within the framework of current psycholinguistic theories of language production. The paper comprises three major sections, an overview of the effects of PD on the brain and cognition, a review of the literature on language production in PD, and a discussion of the stages of the language production process that are impaired in PD. Overall, the literature converges on a few common characteristics of language production in PD: reduced information content, impaired grammaticality, disrupted fluency, and reduced syntactic complexity. Many studies also document the strong impact of differences in cognitive ability on language production. Based on the data, PD affects all stages of language production including conceptualization and functional and positional processing. Furthermore, impairments at all stages appear to be exacerbated by impairments in cognitive abilities.

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Assessing cognitive abilities and dementia in a predominantly illiterate population of older individuals in Kinmen

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291700027914 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 763-770 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

H. C. Liu ◽

P. Chou ◽

K. N. Lin ◽

S. J. Wang ◽

J. L. Fuh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Formal Education ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Chinese Populations

SynopsisA community survey of dementia was conducted on a Chinese islet. A total of 221 men and 234 women in the age range of 50–92 were assessed. The Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI), a 100-point cognitive test designed for cross-cultural studies and adapted in Chinese for individuals with little or no formal education, was administered twice by trained field workers with a retest interval of 3 to 4 weeks. In addition, all participants were assessed by physicians who did not know the CASI scores. The physicians' assessment included a complete neurological examination, plus semi-structured tests and interviews covering cognitive abilities, daily activities, depression, cerebrovascular disease, and Parkinson's disease. Dementia was diagnosed by consensus among the physicians according to the DSM-III-R criteria. Among the 455 participants, 16 cases of dementia were identified, including 13 with probable Alzheimer's disease and 1 each with vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, and alcoholism. The rates of dementia were 0, 3·9 and 11·5% for the age groups of 50–69, 70–79 and 80–92; and 4·4, 2·0 and 0% for the education groups of 0–1, 2–6 and 7–15 years of schooling. No sex difference was found after controlling for education. The Chinese version of the CASI had an intraclass retest reliability of 0·90. Using a cut-off score of ≤ 50 for dementia, the sensitivity was 0·88 and the specificity was 0·94. The preliminary study suggests that the CASI can be used in Chinese populations with generally low education levels and that Alzheimer's disease was the most common type of dementia in this population.

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Is Depression or Apathy Playing a Key Role in Predicting Financial Capacity in Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia?

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11060785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 785

Author(s):

Vaitsa Giannouli ◽

Magda Tsolaki

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Frontotemporal Dementia ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Short Form ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Decisive Role ◽

Financial Capacity ◽

Capacity Performance

(1) Background: Depression and apathy both affect cognitive abilities, such as thinking, concentration and making decisions in young and old individuals. Although apathy is claimed to be a “core” feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), it may occur in the absence of depression and vice versa. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore whether depression or apathy better predict financial capacity performance in PD and FTD as well as in nondemented participants. (2) Methods: Eighty-eight participants divided into three groups (PD, FTD and non-demented participants) were examined with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale (LCPLTAS)—Full and short form. The Geriatric Depression Scale informant version (GDS-15) and the Irritability-Apathy Scale (IAS) we completed by caregivers. (3) Results: The results indicated that both PD and FTD patients’ general cognitive functioning and financial capacity performance is negatively influenced by apathy and not by depression. (4) Conclusions: Differences in financial capacity performance indicate that apathy should not be disregarded in clinical assessments. Further studies on larger PD and FTD populations are necessary in order to investigate the decisive role of mood factors on financial capacity impairment.

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Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT-SL) in Parkinson’s Disease

Journal of Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.3233/jpd-212688 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Travis H. Turner ◽

Alexandra Atkins ◽

Richard S.E. Keefe

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Visual Memory ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Task Force ◽

Self Report ◽

Capacity Assessment

Background: Cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and highly associated with loss of independence, caregiver burden, and assisted living placement. The need for cognitive functional capacity tools validated for use in PD clinical and research applications has thus been emphasized in the literature. The Virtual Reality Functional Capacity Assessment Tool (VRFCAT-SL) is a tablet-based instrument that assesses proficiency for performing real world tasks in a highly realistic environment. Objective: The present study explored application of the VRFCAT-SL in clinical assessments of patients with PD. Specifically, we examined associations between VRFCAT-SL performance and measures of cognition, motor severity, and self-reported cognitive functioning. Methods: The VRFCAT-SL was completed by a sample of 29 PD patients seen in clinic for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Fifteen patients met Movement Disorders Society Task Force criteria for mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI); no patients were diagnosed with dementia. Non-parametric correlations between VRFCAT-SL performance and standardized neuropsychological tests and clinical measures were examined. Results: VRFCAT-SL performance was moderately associated with global rank on neuropsychological testing and discriminated PD-MCI. Follow-up analyses found completion time was associated with visual memory, sustained attention, and set-switching, while errors were associated with psychomotor inhibition. No clinical or motor measures were associated with VRFCAT-SL performance. Self-report was not associated with VRFCAT-SL or neuropsychological test performance. Conclusion: The VRFCAT-SL appears to provide a useful measure of cognitive functional capacity that is not confounded by PD motor symptoms. Future studies will examine utility in PD dementia.

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The use of eHealth to promote physical activity in people living with Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review

Physiotherapy Practice and Research ◽

10.3233/ppr-200474 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Adam McDermott ◽

Ciaran Haberlin ◽

Jonathan Moran

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Attrition Rate ◽

Medical Subject Headings ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Ehealth Intervention ◽

High Level

BACKGROUND: People living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are less active than healthy individuals. Ehealth is an emerging concept in healthcare which presents opportunities to promote physical activity (PA) in people with PD. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the effectiveness of ehealth in the promotion of PA in people living with PD. METHODS: Suitable articles were searched for using EMBASE, PsychInfo, Web of Science and OVID Medline databases using a combination of keywords and medical subject headings. Articles were included if they described an ehealth intervention designed to promote PA in people living with PD. Two reviewers screened studies for suitability and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool and the Downs and Black risk of bias checklist. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, a narrative synthesis of study interventions and results was completed rather than a quantitative analysis. RESULTS: 1449 articles were screened. Four studies met the eligibility criteria which included 652 participants. Web and mobile applications were used to design the PA interventions. PA levels were measured using self-reported questionnaires, Fitbits, activity monitors and accelerometers. Three of the studies reported improvements in aspects of PA. However, this was not consistently reported in all study participants. No adverse effects, a high level of enjoyment and a relatively low attrition rate (∼12.5%) were reported. CONCLUSION: Ehealth is a safe and feasible intervention to promote PA in this population. It is unclear whether ehealth is effective at promoting PA in people with PD. Keywords:

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Development of standardized regression-based formulas to assess meaningful cognitive change in early Parkinson’s disease

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa104 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hannah L Combs ◽

Kate A Wyman-Chick ◽

Lauren O Erickson ◽

Michele K York

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Test Scores ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Cognitive Test ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Change Over Time ◽

Over Time

Abstract Objective Longitudinal assessment of cognitive and emotional functioning in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is helpful in tracking progression of the disease, developing treatment plans, evaluating outcomes, and educating patients and families. Determining whether change over time is meaningful in neurodegenerative conditions, such as PD, can be difficult as repeat assessment of neuropsychological functioning is impacted by factors outside of cognitive change. Regression-based prediction formulas are one method by which clinicians and researchers can determine whether an observed change is meaningful. The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate regression-based prediction models of cognitive and emotional test scores for participants with early-stage idiopathic PD and healthy controls (HC) enrolled in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Methods Participants with de novo PD and HC were identified retrospectively from the PPMI archival database. Data from baseline testing and 12-month follow-up were utilized in this study. In total, 688 total participants were included in the present study (NPD = 508; NHC = 185). Subjects from both groups were randomly divided into development (70%) and validation (30%) subsets. Results Early-stage idiopathic PD patients and healthy controls were similar at baseline. Regression-based models were developed for all cognitive and self-report mood measures within both populations. Within the validation subset, the predicted and observed cognitive test scores did not significantly differ, except for semantic fluency. Conclusions The prediction models can serve as useful tools for researchers and clinicians to study clinically meaningful cognitive and mood change over time in PD.

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The self-report Barthel Index: preliminary validation in people with Parkinson’s disease

European Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011.03592.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 927-929 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

D. Morley ◽

C. Selai ◽

A. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Barthel Index ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Preliminary Validation

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Schizophrenia as Potential Trigger for Melanoma Development and Progression! The Psycho-Neuro-Endocrine-Oncology (P.N.E.O) Network!

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2018.276 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. 1442-1445

Author(s):

Georgi Tchernev ◽

Ilia Lozev ◽

Ivanka Temelkova ◽

Svetoslav Chernin ◽

Irina Yungareva

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Nervous Tissue ◽

World Literature ◽

Careful Analysis ◽

Potential Trigger ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Neuroectodermal Origin ◽

High Level ◽

First Time

BACKGROUND: Skin, nervous tissue, dopamine and melanoma share a common neuroectodermal origin. Hence, processes that modulate nervous tissue formation, patient mental status, motor regulation of individuals, and skin cancerogenesis are inextricably linked. Psycho-neuro-endocrine oncology (or dermato-oncology), i.e. P.N.E.O., is a new model or trend in medicine and science presented for the first time in the world literature by us, that aims to examine the relationship between the mental state, the hormones and the malignant transformation. Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease are the two main patterns of disease where the main symptoms are related to dopamine levels in the human body. According to our analyses of the available literature, the amount of dopamine is related to the incidence of melanocytic or non-melanocytic cutaneous tumours in patients with central nervous system diseases and those affecting the motor function and coordination. Such patterns of interaction are extremely indicative of the elucidation of the ubiquitous hypothesis or statement: “My illness is on a mental basis, caused by stress ...”CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 44-year-old patient with untreated schizophrenia for approximately 25 years, associated with advanced acral localised melanoma. Schizophrenia is generally associated with a higher level of dopamine, which is also a key precursor to melanin synthesis. After a careful analysis of all literature on melanoma in patients with 1) treated and untreated schizophrenia, 2) those with untreated and untreated forms of Parkinson’s disease, it would be logical to conclude that the high level of dopamine in the described patient groups is a risk factor for the development of melanoma.CONCLUSIONS: The possible mechanisms for the occurrence of malignant melanoma within the so-called psycho/neuro/endocrine oncology (P.N.E.O.), as well as the effective methods of prevention, are under discussion.

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Evolution of impulsive–compulsive behaviors and cognition in Parkinson’s disease

Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1007/s00415-019-09584-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 267 (1) ◽

pp. 259-266

Author(s):

Aleksander H. Erga ◽

Guido Alves ◽

Ole Bjørn Tysnes ◽

Kenn Freddy Pedersen

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Short Form ◽

Population Based ◽

Self Report ◽

Cognitive Changes ◽

Compulsive Behaviors ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time

Abstract The longitudinal course of ICBs in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) relative to controls has not been explored as of yet. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, evolution and associated cognitive and clinical features of impulsive and compulsive behaviors (ICBs) over 4 years of prospective follow-up in a population-based cohort with early Parkinson’s disease (PD). We recruited 124 cognitively intact participants with early PD and 156 matched controls from the Norwegian ParkWest study. ICBs were assessed using the self-report short form version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive–Compulsive Disorders in PD. Cognitive changes were examined in PwP with and without ICBs who completed the 4-year follow-up. Generalized linear mixed modelling and mixed linear regression were used to analyze clinical factors and cognitive changes associated with ICBs in PwP over time. ICBs were more common in PwP than controls at all visits, with an age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) varying between 2.5 (95% CI 1.1–5.6; p = 0.022) and 5.1 (95% CI 2.4–11.0; p < 0.001). The 4-year cumulative frequency of ICBs in PwP was 46.8% and 23.3% developed incident ICBs during the study period, but the presence of ICBs was non-persistent in nearly 30%. ICBs were independently associated with younger age (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.99: p = 0.008) and use of dopamine agonist (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.56–10.69). Cognitive changes over time did not differ between patients with and without ICBs. In conclusion, ICBs are common in PwP, but are often non-persistent and not associated with greater cognitive impairment over time.

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