Over 1 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease and of these, between 50% and 80% will experience dementia. Parkinson’s disease affects 2% of people 65 years of age and older. This type of dementia is characterized by abnormal microscopic deposits composed mainly of alpha-synuclein which is a protein found widely in the brain, whose normal function is yet unknown.
The protein deposits are called “Lewy Bodies” and are also found in other dementias, like Lewy Body dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. This type of dementia is fairly common among older adults who have neurodegenerative disorders.
Causes and Risks
One of the greatest risks, as with most neurological disorders, is advanced age. It has also been shown in research that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) may be associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease dementia in some individuals. Greater severity of motor symptoms may be risk factors as is daytime sleepiness, and hallucinations experienced before being diagnosed with a dementia disorder.
Symptoms
Many symptoms accompany this form of dementia including:
- Changes in memory, concentration and judgment
- Depression
- Trouble interpreting visual information
- Paranoid delusions
- Anxiety
- Sleeping difficulties
- Muffled speech
Treatment
While there are currently no specific medications to slow or stop the progression of cell damage caused by this disease, there are current strategies aimed at improving quality of life and symptom management.
Cholinesterase inhibitors and medications used for Alzheimer’s disease as well as some antipsychotic drugs may be helpful in managing symptoms. Carbidopa-levodopa may help with certain movement problems but is known to aggravate hallucinations and delusions.
Since depression is common in person’s diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease dementia, antidepressants may also help with depressive symptoms.
Final Thoughts on Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Parkinson’s disease dementia is common among those over the age of 65 and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Besides dealing with movement problems associated with Parkinson’s, individuals may also have to cope with symptoms associated with the dementia disorder that affects between 50% and 80% of those with Parkinson’s. Both disorders cause a wide range of problems and there is no specific medication to treat them. Hopefully with more research, better treatments will become available to enhance people’s quality of living and manage their symptoms more successfully.
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