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. 2016 Jan;31(1):86-94.
doi: 10.1002/mds.26373. Epub 2015 Aug 21.

Cognition in individuals at risk for Parkinson's: Parkinson associated risk syndrome (PARS) study findings

Lama M Chahine  1 , Daniel Weintraub  1   2   3 , Keith A Hawkins  4 , Andrew Siderowf  5 , Shirley Eberly  6 , David Oakes  6 , John Seibyl  7 , Matthew B Stern  1 , Kenneth Marek  7 , Danna Jennings  7 ; PARS Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations

Cognition in individuals at risk for Parkinson's: Parkinson associated risk syndrome (PARS) study findings

Lama M Chahine et al. Mov Disord. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: The Parkinson Associated Risk Syndrome Study identified a cohort of healthy adults with hyposmia and dopamine transporter binding reduction to characterize individuals at risk for Parkinson's disease (PD). We describe the cognitive profile of this cohort.

Methods: Individuals older than 50 y without PD were recruited. Two hundred twenty-five completed cognitive testing and were included in the final analysis. A neuropsychological test battery was administered and normative scores created for global cognition, memory, executive function/working memory, processing speed/attention, visuospatial abilities, and language domains. Other non-motor symptoms (constipation, depression, anxiety, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder) were assessed through questionnaires.

Results: Individuals with both hyposmia and reduced dopamine transporter binding (n = 38) had lower mean scores for global cognition, executive function/working memory, and memory compared with all other participants (n = 187). In separate multivariate logistic regression models, lower global cognition (odds ratio, 1.97, P = 0.004), and specifically executive function/working memory (odds ratio, 1.84, P = 0.004) scores were associated with membership in the hyposmia with dopamine transporter reduction group. Combining hyposmia with relative impairment on specific cognitive domains increased the odds of dopamine transporter binding reduction compared with hyposmia alone, with the greatest increase in odds for hyposmia plus executive function/working memory relative impairment (68% increase in odds from 4.14 to 6.96).

Conclusion: Changes in global cognitive abilities, and specifically executive function/working memory, are present in individuals at risk for PD. Combining non-motor features, including cognition, improves prediction of dopamine transporter binding reduction.

Keywords: Parkinson's; cognition; dopaminergic deficit; hyposmia; prodromal.

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Conflict of interest statement

Relevant conflicts of interest: Lama Chahine reports no disclosure relevant to the manuscript. Daniel Weintraub is a consultant for Teva and Biotie. Keith Hawkins reports no disclosure relevant to the manuscript. Andrew Siderowf is an employee of Avid Radiopharmaceuticals. Shirley Eberly reports no disclosure relevant to the manuscript. David Oakes reports no disclosure relevant to the manuscript. John Seibyl is a paid consultant for GE Healthcare. He holds an equity interest in Molecular NeuroImaging, LLC. Matthew Stern is a consultant for Adamas, Civitas, Merz, and Teva. Kenneth Marek is a consultant for GE Healthcare and has ownership interest in Molecular NeuroImaging, LLC. Danna Jennings is an employee of Molecular NeuroImaging, LLC.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Frequency of hyposmia and dopamine transporter reduction in sample with cognitive testing.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Representative dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography images. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at wileyonlinelibrary.com.]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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