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Schejter-Margalit T, Kizony R, Shirvan J, Cedarbaum JM, Bregman N, Thaler A, Giladi N, Mirelman A. Quantitative digital clock drawing test as a sensitive tool to detect subtle cognitive impairments in early stage Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 90:84-89. [PMID: 34416663 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prevalence of subtle cognitive decline in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease (PD) is common and is thought to be even greater in patients carrying genetic mutations in the GBA gene. Current cognitive tests often lack sensitivity to identify subtle impairments. Technological advancements may offer greater precision. We explored the utility of a digitized cognitive clock-drawing test to assess cognition in patients with PD compared to healthy controls (HC) and its sensitivity compared to that of standardized neuropsychological tests. Further, we investigated the existence of a cognitive profile based on genotype. METHODS The study included 75 early stage PD patients (24 with GBA-PD, 23 LRRK2-PD, 28 idiopathic PD cases) and 59 HC. Participants underwent a cognitive assessment which included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Color Trails Test (CTT) and a digital clock drawing test (DCTclock). RESULTS Patients with PD presented lower scores than HC on all cognitive tests. The DCTclock best discriminated PD from HC (AUC: 0.807) compared to the MoCA (0.590) and CTT (0.636 and 0.717 for CTT-1 and CTT-2 respectively). In-depth quantitative analysis of the DCTclock revealed that LRRK2-PD showed better performance than other PD sub-groups. CONCLUSION The use of quantitative digital cognitive assessment showed greater sensitivity in identifying subtle cognitive decline than the current standardized tests. Differences in cognitive profiles were observed based on genotype. The identification of early cognitive decline may improve the clinical management of PD patients and be useful for cognitive related clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Schejter-Margalit
- Laboratory for Early Markers of Neurodegeneration, Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility, Neurology Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Occupational Therapy Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Rachel Kizony
- Occupational Therapy Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; Occupational Therapy, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | - Jesse M Cedarbaum
- Coeruleus Clinical Sciences and Yale University School of Medicine, CT USA
| | - Noa Bregman
- Memory and Cognitive Unit, Neurological Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avner Thaler
- Laboratory for Early Markers of Neurodegeneration, Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility, Neurology Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Nir Giladi
- Laboratory for Early Markers of Neurodegeneration, Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility, Neurology Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Anat Mirelman
- Laboratory for Early Markers of Neurodegeneration, Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility, Neurology Institute, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Lolekha P, Tangkanakul C, Saengchatri T, Kulkeartprasert P. The Six-item Clock-Drawing Scoring System: a rapid screening for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. Psychogeriatrics 2021; 21:24-31. [PMID: 32875700 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment, characterised by predominant executive dysfunction and visuospatial deficit, is frequently observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) and may lead to mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and dementia (PD-D). The clock-drawing test (CDT) is a rapid cognitive evaluation that is appropriate for screening frontoparietal lobe dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of the Six-item Clock-Drawing Scoring System (6-CDSS) in detecting cognitive impairment in PD patients. METHODS A retrospective analysis of free-drawn clocks from 136 PD patients was performed. The presence of cognitive impairment and dementia was documented by neurologists according to the standard diagnostic criteria. Diagnostic performance and the optimal screening cut-off scores for cognitive impairment and dementia using the 6-CDSS were determined. RESULTS One hundred and thirteen patients were documented as having PD with cognitive impairment (PD-CI). Of those, 39 were diagnosed as probable PD-D and 74 with PD-MCI. The optimal screening cut-off scores for PD-CI were 4/5 and 1/2 for probable PD-D. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that low education levels, poor activity of daily living, and older age were associated with low 6-CDSS scores. CONCLUSIONS CDT scoring using the 6-CDSS is a reliable system to screen cognitive impairment in PD and may serve as a simple screening tool for PD-D in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praween Lolekha
- Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
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Mao J, Huang X, Yu J, Chen L, Huang Y, Tang B, Guo J. Association Between REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Cognitive Dysfunctions in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Front Neurol 2020; 11:577874. [PMID: 33240202 PMCID: PMC7677514 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.577874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is thought to be a prodromal symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). RBD is also thought to be involved in cognitive decline and dementia in PD. In PD, although the relationship between RBD and cognitive dysfunctions was confirmed by considerable studies, whether RBD was associated with distinct types of cognitive defects is worth of study. Objectives: This systematic review summarizes the evidence relating to cognitive dysfunction in PD patients with RBD (PD-RBD) and those without and explores their specificity to cognitive domains. Methods: A meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed for 16 different cognitive domains, including global cognitive function, memory (long-term verbal recall, long-term verbal recognition, long-term visual recall, short-term spatial recall, and short-term verbal recall), executive function (general, fluid reasoning, generativity, shifting, inhibition, and updating), language, processing speed/complex attention/working memory, visuospatial/constructional ability, and psychomotor ability. The cognitive difference between the groups of patients was measured as a standardized mean difference (SMD, Cohen's d). PD-RBD patients were classified into Confirmed-RBD (definite diagnosis with polysomnography, PSG) and Probable-RBD (without PSG re-confirmation). In some domains, RBD patients could not be analyzed separately due to the exiguity of primary studies; this analysis refers to such RBD patients as "Mixed-RBD." Results: Thirty-nine studies with 6,695 PD subjects were finally included. Confirmed-RBD patients showed worse performance than those without in global cognitive function, long-term verbal recall, long-term verbal recognition, generativity, inhibition, shifting, language, and visuospatial/constructional ability; Probable-RBD, in global cognitive function and shifting; and Mixed-RBD, in long-term visual recall, short-term spatial recall, general executive function, and processing speed/complex attention/working memory. Conclusion: This meta-analysis strongly suggests a relationship between RBD, Confirmed-RBD in particular, and cognitive dysfunctions in PD patients. Early and routine screening by sensitive and targeted cognitive tasks is necessary for all PD-RBD patients because it may offer the therapeutic time window before they evolve to irreversible dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Mao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiurong Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaming Yu
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lang Chen
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuqian Huang
- Center for Inflammation and Epigenetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Lauretani F, Ruffini L, Scarlattei M, Maggio M. Relationship between comprehensive geriatric assessment and amyloid PET in older persons with MCI. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:337. [PMID: 32907545 PMCID: PMC7487621 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The association between amyloid deposition and cognitive, behavioral and physical performance in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been poorly investigated, especially in older persons. Methods We studied the in vivo correlation between the amyloid deposition at Positron Emission Tomography (amyloid-PET) and the presence of memory loss, reduced executive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms and physical performance in older persons with MCI. Amyloid-PET was performed with 18F-flutemetamol and quantitatively analyzed. Results We evaluated 48 subjects, 21 men and 27 women. We performed in each patient a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) including Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Activity Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) questionnaire, 15 Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Hand Grip strength. Then, each patient underwent amyloid-PET. Mean age of the enrolled subjects was 74.6 ± 7.8 years. All of these subjects showed preserved cognitive function at MMSE > 24, while 29 of 48 subjects (61.0%) had altered CDT. Mean NPI score was 6.9 ± 5.9. The mean value of SPPB score was 9.0 ± 2.6, while the average muscle strength of the upper extremities measured by hand grip was 25.6 ± 7.7 Kg. CT/MRI images showed cortical atrophic changes in 26 of the 48 examined subjects (54.0%), while cerebrovascular modifications were present in 31 subjects (64.5%). Pathological burden of amyloid deposits was detected in 25 of 48 (52.0%) patients with a mean value of global z-score of 2.8 (subjects defined as MCI due to AD). After stratifying subjects in subclasses of clinical alterations, more probability of pathological amyloid deposition was found in subjects with impaired CDT and higher NPI score (O.R. = 3.45 [1.01–11.2], p = 0.04), with both impaired CDT and low physical performance (O.R. = 5.80 [1.04–32.2], p = 0.04), with altered CDT and high NPI score (O.R. = 7.98 [1.38–46.0], p = 0.02), and finally in those subjects with altered CDT, high NPI and low physical performance (O.R. = 5.80 [1.05–32.2], p = 0.04). Conclusion Our findings support the recent hypothesis that amyloid deposition could be associated with multiple cerebral dysfunction, mainly affecting executive, behavioral and motor abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Lauretani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy. .,Cognitive and Motoric Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Livia Ruffini
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maura Scarlattei
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy.,Cognitive and Motoric Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
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Performance at the clock drawing test of individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease and healthy subjects: a retrospective study. Neurol Sci 2019; 41:843-849. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-04167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Siciliano M, De Micco R, Trojano L, De Stefano M, Baiano C, Passaniti C, De Mase A, Russo A, Tedeschi G, Tessitore A. Cognitive impairment is associated with Hoehn and Yahr stages in early, de novo Parkinson disease patients. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2017; 41:86-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Weil RS, Schrag AE, Warren JD, Crutch SJ, Lees AJ, Morris HR. Visual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Brain 2016; 139:2827-2843. [PMID: 27412389 PMCID: PMC5091042 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Parkinson's disease have a number of specific visual disturbances. These include changes in colour vision and contrast sensitivity and difficulties with complex visual tasks such as mental rotation and emotion recognition. We review changes in visual function at each stage of visual processing from retinal deficits, including contrast sensitivity and colour vision deficits to higher cortical processing impairments such as object and motion processing and neglect. We consider changes in visual function in patients with common Parkinson's disease-associated genetic mutations including GBA and LRRK2 . We discuss the association between visual deficits and clinical features of Parkinson's disease such as rapid eye movement sleep behavioural disorder and the postural instability and gait disorder phenotype. We review the link between abnormal visual function and visual hallucinations, considering current models for mechanisms of visual hallucinations. Finally, we discuss the role of visuo-perceptual testing as a biomarker of disease and predictor of dementia in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimona S. Weil
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 3 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Anette E. Schrag
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Jason D. Warren
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 4 Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastian J. Crutch
- 4 Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew J. Lees
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Huw R. Morris
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 3 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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Network and Pathway-Based Analyses of Genes Associated with Parkinson's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:4452-4465. [PMID: 27349437 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9998-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative disease influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Although previous studies have provided insights into the significant impacts of genetic factors on PD, the molecular mechanism underlying PD remains largely unclear. Under such situation, a comprehensive analysis focusing on biological function and interactions of PD-related genes will provide us valuable information to understand the pathogenesis of PD. In the current study, by reviewing the literatures deposited in PUBMED, we identified 242 genes genetically associated with PD, referred to as PD-related genes gene set (PDgset). Functional analysis revealed that biological processes and biochemical pathways related to neurodevelopment, metabolism, and immune system were enriched in PDgset. Then, pathway crosstalk analysis indicated that the enriched pathways could be grouped into two modules, with one module consisted of pathways mainly involved in neuronal signaling and another in immune response. Further, based on a global human interactome, we found that PDgset tended to have more moderate degree compared with cancer-related genes. Moreover, PD-specific molecular network was inferred using Steiner minimal tree algorithm and some potential related genes associated with PD were identified. In summary, by using network- and pathway-based methods to explore pathogenetic mechanism underlying PD, results from our work may have important implications for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying PD. Also, the framework proposed in our current work can be used to infer pathological molecular network and genes related to a specific disease.
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Mendes-Santos LC, Mograbi D, Spenciere B, Charchat-Fichman H. Specific algorithm method of scoring the Clock Drawing Test applied in cognitively normal elderly. Dement Neuropsychol 2015; 9:128-135. [PMID: 29213954 PMCID: PMC5619351 DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642015dn92000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is an inexpensive, fast and easily administered measure of cognitive function, especially in the elderly. This instrument is a popular clinical tool widely used in screening for cognitive disorders and dementia. The CDT can be applied in different ways and scoring procedures also vary. Objective The aims of this study were to analyze the performance of elderly on the CDT and evaluate inter-rater reliability of the CDT scored by using a specific algorithm method adapted from Sunderland et al. (1989). Methods We analyzed the CDT of 100 cognitively normal elderly aged 60 years or older. The CDT ("free-drawn") and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were administered to all participants. Six independent examiners scored the CDT of 30 participants to evaluate inter-rater reliability. Results and Conclusion A score of 5 on the proposed algorithm ("Numbers in reverse order or concentrated"), equivalent to 5 points on the original Sunderland scale, was the most frequent (53.5%). The CDT specific algorithm method used had high inter-rater reliability (p<0.01), and mean score ranged from 5.06 to 5.96. The high frequency of an overall score of 5 points may suggest the need to create more nuanced evaluation criteria, which are sensitive to differences in levels of impairment in visuoconstructive and executive abilities during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Mograbi
- PhD, Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil.,Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
| | - Bárbara Spenciere
- BsC, Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
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Huang C, Ravdin LD, Nirenberg MJ, Piboolnurak P, Severt L, Maniscalco JS, Solnes L, Dorfman BJ, Henchcliffe C. Neuroimaging markers of motor and nonmotor features of Parkinson's disease: an 18f fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2013; 35:183-96. [PMID: 23445555 DOI: 10.1159/000345987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM We sought to identify markers of motor and nonmotor function in Parkinson's disease (PD) using advanced neuroimaging techniques in subjects with PD. METHODS We enrolled 26 nondemented PD subjects and 12 control subjects. All subjects underwent [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging, and a complete neuropsychological battery. RESULTS FDG-PET of subjects with PD revealed significant metabolic elevations in the bilateral posterior lentiform nucleus, posterior cingulate, and parahippocampus, and metabolic reductions in the bilateral temporoparietal association cortex and occipital lobe versus controls. PD subjects had significant reductions in executive/attention function, memory/verbal learning, and speed of thinking, and significantly increased depression, anxiety and apathy scores compared with controls. Motor dysfunction correlated with increased metabolism in the posterior lentiform nucleus, pons, and cerebellum, and decreased metabolism in the temporoparietal lobe. Cognitive dysfunction correlated with increased posterior cingulate metabolism and decreased temporoparietal lobe metabolism. Depressive symptoms correlated with increased amygdala metabolism; anxiety scores correlated with decreased caudate metabolism, and apathy scores correlated with increased metabolism in the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal lobe and decreased metabolism in the temporoparietal association cortex. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed that motor, cognitive, and emotional dysfunction in PD are associated with distinct patterns of cerebral metabolic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaorui Huang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA. chh2019 @ med.cornell.edu
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Engedal K, Gausdal M, Gjøra L, Haugen PK. Assessment of dementia by a primary health care dementia team cooperating with the family doctor - the Norwegian model. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2013. [PMID: 23183640 DOI: 10.1159/000345435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To describe how dementia assessment could be organized in primary health care and how it works. METHODS The project had two phases. In phase one 104 elderly patients were assessed by a local authority dementia team that used a standardized examination protocol, which enabled the family doctors to establish a dementia diagnosis. After evaluation and adjustments the model was extended to 31 local authorities and 474 patients were assessed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 84.4 (SD 5.6) and 81.8 (SD 7.8) years, respectively; 81 and 67% were women, respectively. The mean Mini Mental State Examination scores were 21.1 (SD 5.0) and 19.2 (SD 5.1), respectively. All patients in phase one and 70% in phase two were diagnosed with dementia. In 15 local authorities a specially assigned family doctor assisted in establishing diagnoses. In these local authorities 80% of the patients were diagnosed. CONCLUSION A local authority dementia team can collect the information required to enable a family doctor to establish a dementia diagnosis. Ideally, such teams should be assisted by a family doctor interested in dementia diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Engedal
- Norwegian Centre for Ageing and Health, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal and Vestfold Mental Health Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.
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