Understanding Cognitive Changes in Patients with Parkinson ’s Disease Using Novel Fiber Quantification Techniques

Beyond the cardinal motor symptoms, cognitive impairment emerges as a significant non-motor symptom, affecting approximately 30-40% of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) during its initial stages. As the disease advances, the majority —up to 80%—will develop cognitive impairment, potentially leading to dementia [1, 2]. Research findings suggest that the changes in white matter (WM) structure could serve as a valuable biomarker in the early stages of PD [3]. This potential is underscored by the ability of diffusion tensor imag ing (DTI) to identify degenerations within WM that are correlated with cognitive impairment in patients with PD [4, 5].
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research