Buist, Nienke (2023) Differences in Cognitive Decline in Probable Brain-First and Body-First Parkinson’s Disease. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and many patients experience non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairments. Given the heterogeneity between patients, assessing biomarkers to predict better PD progression is essential. A recent theory on the connection between the location of the first pathological synuclein and the asymmetrical distribution of the dopaminergic deficiency of the disease is known as the α-Synuclein Origin and Connectome (SOC) model. According to this model, subtypes with a more symmetric distribution at the de novo stage experience a higher burden of PD and deteriorate faster than the asymmetrical subgroup. When the origin of PD is understood, a better prognosis can be made for further development and appropriate therapy. 102 newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve PD patients were included and underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment. Cognitive differences were tested between symmetrical and asymmetrical subtypes, as differentiated by FDOPA-PET imaging. The symmetrical subgroup performed worse on the cognitive screening and the domains of attention and processing speed, executive functioning, language, and memory. After adjusting for age, these effects were only present to a limited extent. The symmetrical group showed only a faster decline in executive functioning. In conclusion, limited evidence supports a higher burden in body-first types, as described in the SOC model, and no evidence supports faster deterioration in this type. Further investigation is necessary, and the inclusion of follow-up data over more than three years is recommended.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Slomp, A.C. and Zee, S. van der and Spikman, J.M. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Aug 2023 08:42 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2023 08:42 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2711 |
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