Background: The clinical diagnosis of manifest Huntington's disease (HD) relies on a high level of clinical confidence (99% confidence) of HD-consistent motor signs. Longitudinal data have reliably identified cognitive and behavioral dysfunction predating clinical motor diagnosis by up to 15 years. Reliance on motor signs to establish a diagnosis of HD increases risk of early misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropsychological evaluation is critical to detection and management of cognitive and neuropsychiatric changes associated with Huntington disease (HD). Accurate assessment of non-motor complications of HD is critical given the prominent impact on functional disability, frequently commensurate with or exceeding that of motor symptoms. The increasing emphasis on developing disease-modifying therapies targeting cognitive decline in HD requires consensus on clinical neuropsychological assessment methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol
January 2024
Objective: To evaluate the effect of virtual group music therapy on apathy in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
Introduction: Apathy affects 40% of people with PD, lacks effective therapies, and independently predicts poorer quality of life and greater caregiver burden. Music therapy is the clinical application of music to address a person's physical or emotional needs and is effective in treating apathy in dementia.
This article explores sex-specific neurocognitive impairment. It first defines relevant terms such as gender and sex. Next, it describes the nature of the problem including under-representation of women and other gender and sexual minorities in neuroscience research, including cognitive studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study was undertaken to compare the rate of change in cognition between glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutation carriers and noncarriers with and without subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson disease.
Methods: Clinical and genetic data from 12 datasets were examined. Global cognition was assessed using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS).
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has upended daily life and neurologic care for most patients, including those with Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism. Disruptions to routine care, high volumes of patient and caregiver calls, and our patients' risk of infection and complications inspired a proactive COVID-19 outreach program. This program targets patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and related disorders, specifically those who are homebound, receiving or eligible for palliative care, and/or lacking support networks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeterminants of placebo effects and placebo response can be considered from multiple intrinsic and extrinsic perspectives. Intrinsic factors may influence the patient and the clinician/researcher. Patient expectations and previous experiences are considered two of the major intrinsic determinants of placebo response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Parkinsons Dis
August 2021
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, though evidence suggests that this disorder does not affect all racial groups similarly. Research in African Americans, in particular, has been conflicting. Some studies have found similar prevalence rates in African Americans and whites whereas other studies have found much lower prevalence and incidence rates in African Americans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Our primary objective was to determine the relationship between global cognitive function and specific domains of gait and balance in a cohort of Parkinson's disease (PD) subjects. In a secondary analysis, we determined whether specific cognitive domains correlated with gait and balance performance.
Methods: Fourteen PD subjects (mean age 61.
The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in the correlations of d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) induced displacements of [¹⁸F]fallypride in striatal and extrastriatal regions in relation to affect and cognition. Seven male and six female healthy subjects, whose mean age was 25.9 years, underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [¹⁸F]fallypride at baseline and 3 h after a 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study examined whether positron emission tomography (PET) studies with [18F] fallypride performed before and after alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) administration can be used to estimate baseline dopamine (DA) D2 receptor occupancy in striatal and extrastriatal regions.
Methods: Six normal subjects underwent PET with [18 F] fallypride before and after administration of AMPT. The DA D2 receptor binding potentials (bp) were calculated with the reference region method.
Objective: The authors examined gender differences in d-amphetamine-induced displacements of [(18)F]fallypride in the striatal and extrastriatal brain regions and the correlations of these displacements with cognition and sensation seeking.
Method: Six women and seven men underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [(18)F]fallypride before and after an oral dose of d-amphetamine. Percent displacements were calculated using regions of interest and parametric images of dopamine 2 (D(2)) receptor binding potential.
This study examined D-amphetamine (D-AMPH)-induced displacements of [18F] fallypride in striatal and extrastriatal regions and the correlations of these displacements with cognition, affect, and sensation-seeking behavior. In all, 14 normal subjects, six females and eight males (ages 21-32, mean age 25.9 years), underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fallypride before and 3 h after a 0.
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