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Correlation between motor and cognitive functions in the progressive course of Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Murakami Hidetomo,
Owan Yoshiyuki,
Mori Yukiko,
Fujita Kazuhisa,
Futamura Akinori,
Sugimoto Azusa,
Kobayakawa Mutsutaka,
Kezuka Machiko,
Midorikawa Akira,
Kawamura Mitsuru
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
neurology and clinical neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.125
0ISSN - 2049-4173
DOI - 10.1111/ncn3.53
Subject(s) - cognition , correlation , parkinson's disease , physical medicine and rehabilitation , executive functions , rating scale , medicine , audiology , motor function , motor skill , psychology , disease , neuroscience , developmental psychology , geometry , mathematics
Aim Correlations between motor function and frontal‐executive function in Parkinson's disease ( PD ) have been examined previously, but correlations with other cognitive domains remain unknown. We examined the correlation between motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment with regard to their precise domains. Methods Motor and cognitive functions were assessed in 61 patients. To assess motor function, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) was administered. The UPDRS score was assessed as general motor function with a sum of Parts II and III , and as subscores of individual motor symptoms (rigidity, tremor, akinesia and postural instability). To assess cognitive function, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mo CA ) and the Frontal Assessment Battery ( FAB ) were administered. Mo CA was assessed by a total score and subscores of six cognitive subdomains: visuospatial, executive, attention/concentration/working memory, language, memory and orientation. The correlation coefficients of both Mo CA and FAB with patient background and motor symptoms were compared using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results General motor function and the subscore of postural instability showed significant negative correlations with Mo CA , FAB , and the subdomains of visuospatial, executive and orientation skills. Tremor and rigidity showed no significant correlation with any cognitive assessment. Akinesia showed significant negative correlation with Mo CA , and the subdomains of visuospatial and orientation skills. Conclusions In patients with PD , specific motor and cognitive functions correlate, with particular regard to postural instability and visuospatial skills. The correlations suggest functional links between a number of cerebral cortices and subcortical structures, and a common pathophysiology for motor and cognitive impairments in PD .