Intellectual impairment and disease severity tend to parallel one
another in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but the pattern of
development of the neuropsychological impairments contributing to the
overall intellectual decline is unknown. This problem was addressed by
comparing neuropsychological performance in the early and later stages of
PD. Impairment of recent memory, impairment of cognition, and somatic
features of depression were seen early and worsened with more advanced
disease. Impairment of visuospatial skills, remote memory, language, and
mood were observed only in the later stages of PD. These findings suggest
that neuropsychological impairments do not develop in a uniform manner with
progression of PD.Abstract Teaser