Level I PD-MCI Using Global Cognitive Tests and the Risk for Parkinson's Disease Dementia.

Background: The criteria for PD-MCI allow the use of global cognitive tests. Their predictive value for conversion from PD-MCI to PDD, especially compared to comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, is unknown.

Methods: The MDS PD-MCI Study Group combined four datasets containing global cognitive tests as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to define PD-MCI (n = 467).

Cerebrovascular medin is associated with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Introduction: Medin, an aging-associated amyloidogenic protein, induces cerebrovascular dysfunction and inflammation. We investigated the relationship between cerebrovascular medin and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD).

Methods: Cerebral arteriole medin was quantified from 91 brain donors with no dementia (ND), AD, VaD, or combined AD and VaD.

Contrast Acuity With Different Colors in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Abnormal color vision and contrast acuity may have significant impact on daily activities.

Objective: Evaluate color visual acuity, at high and low contrast, in Parkinson's disease (PD) and controls using an iPad application.

Methods: Color visual acuity was tested with the Variable Contrast Acuity Chart (King-Devick Test LLC, Oakbrook Terrace, IL) on an iPad 2 at 40 cms using five colors (red, green, blue, yellow, and black) at low (2.

Unawareness of Hyposmia in Elderly People With and Without Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Hyposmia is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is also observed with normal aging. It can be ascertained through objective testing, but it is unclear whether patients are aware of deficits and whether this has implications for cognitive status.

Methods: Subjects in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders were studied with annual motor and cognitive testing with objective smell testing (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test; UPSIT) done every third year beginning in 2002.

Clinical Features of Patients with Concomitant Parkinson's Disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Pathology.

The pathologic changes of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) have been reported to coexist, but whether PSP pathology modifies the clinical course of those individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether clinical features of pathologically confirmed PD subjects with concomitant PSP pathology differ from those with PD alone. Subjects enrolled in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders had annual movement and cognitive evaluations from enrollment until death/autopsy.