Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopaminergic system, resulting in the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, and is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect quality of life. Among these, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as depression, anxiety, and apathy, are common and can accelerate cognitive decline. Although the association between some specific NPS (e.g., apathy) and cognitive functions has been investigated, no review has systematically examined the relationship between the set of NPS and cognitive functions in PD patients without dementia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between NPS and cognitive impairment in patients with PD, with the hypothesis that patients with NPS will show more severe cognitive decline than those without NPS. According to the PRISMA-Statement, this systematic-review critically examined the difference in cognitive performance between patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD with and without NPS. Results were classified according to the following cognitive domains: global cognitive functioning, memory, language, attention, executive functions, visuospatial ability, and processing speed. Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The results showed that PD patients with NPS showed impaired performance on cognitive tasks compared to those without NPS, as well as in longitudinal studies. These results were also confirmed when the different domains were considered separately. Despite the limited number of included studies, the importance of assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in their totality rather than individual behavioral symptoms emerges. This is bacause clinical manifestations may vary among individuals and across different stages of the disease. Therefore, it would be appropriate to assess the presence of these symptoms and the timing of their onset, as they may give the clinician important insights into the possible course and management of the disease.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and their impact on cognitive functions: a systematic review in Parkinson’ Disease / Blasutto, Barbara. - (2025). (Intervento presentato al convegno XXV Congresso Nazionale Sezione di Psicologia Clinica e Dinamica tenutosi a Università degli Studi di Perugia).
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and their impact on cognitive functions: a systematic review in Parkinson’ Disease
Barbara Blasutto
2025
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopaminergic system, resulting in the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, and is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect quality of life. Among these, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as depression, anxiety, and apathy, are common and can accelerate cognitive decline. Although the association between some specific NPS (e.g., apathy) and cognitive functions has been investigated, no review has systematically examined the relationship between the set of NPS and cognitive functions in PD patients without dementia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between NPS and cognitive impairment in patients with PD, with the hypothesis that patients with NPS will show more severe cognitive decline than those without NPS. According to the PRISMA-Statement, this systematic-review critically examined the difference in cognitive performance between patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD with and without NPS. Results were classified according to the following cognitive domains: global cognitive functioning, memory, language, attention, executive functions, visuospatial ability, and processing speed. Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The results showed that PD patients with NPS showed impaired performance on cognitive tasks compared to those without NPS, as well as in longitudinal studies. These results were also confirmed when the different domains were considered separately. Despite the limited number of included studies, the importance of assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms in their totality rather than individual behavioral symptoms emerges. This is bacause clinical manifestations may vary among individuals and across different stages of the disease. Therefore, it would be appropriate to assess the presence of these symptoms and the timing of their onset, as they may give the clinician important insights into the possible course and management of the disease.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
