Are You at Risk for Cognitive Decline with Parkinson's?
Published: Aug 28, 2024
Medically reviewed by Alan Lucks | MD, Alan Lucks MDPC Private Practice - New York on August 28th, 2024.
Cognitive decline is a common concern for those with Parkinson's disease (PD). Identifying risk factors early can help manage and potentially delay these changes.
Contents
Aging and Disease Duration
Older age is a significant risk factor for dementia in PD, with those over 80 years old showing much higher prevalence rates. The longer someone has PD, the greater the risk of developing cognitive decline; studies show a sharp increase in dementia rates after 14 years of PD.
Severity of Symptoms
Patients with more severe motor symptoms, particularly those with high scores on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, are at greater risk of dementia. The combination of older age and severe parkinsonism doubles this risk.
Genetic Predispositions
Genetic factors, including certain mutations, can predispose PD patients to earlier and more severe cognitive changes. The APOE gene, known for its role in Alzheimer's risk, also influences cognitive decline in PD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Age over 80 significantly raises dementia risk in PD.
Yes, severe motor symptoms increase dementia risk.
Certain genetic mutations can worsen cognitive decline.
Yes, longer PD duration is linked to higher dementia risk.
Key Takeaways
Identifying and understanding risk factors is a crucial step in managing cognitive decline in Parkinson's.
Wondering about your risk for cognitive decline with PD? Discuss it with Doctronic!Related Articles
References
Hobson P, Meara J. Risk and incidence of dementia in a cohort of older subjects with Parkinson's disease in the United Kingdom. Mov Disord 2004; 19:1043.
Schrag A, Siddiqui UF, Anastasiou Z, et al. Clinical variables and biomarkers in prediction of cognitive impairment in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease: a cohort study. Lancet Neurol 2017; 16:66.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.