The Relationship Between Cognitive Dysfunction and The Lateralization of The Motor Functions in Parkinson's Disease

Background: Parkinson's disease ( PD ) is a neurodegenerative disorder which starts with unilateral motor symptoms. During the clinical period, cognitive functions may deteriorate and dementia may occur. However, the relationship between the lateralization and the type of motor symptom and the development of cognitive dysfunction is controversial.Objectives: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the lateralization of the motor symptom and development of cognitive dysfunction in PD.Patients and Method: Fifty one parkinson patients were included to the study. The type of the motor symptom (rigidity and tremor) and the lateralization of this symptom were recorded. UPDRS, MMSE and cognitive dysfunction evaluation scales were performed.Results: Patients whose motor symptom started from the left side, had worse visuospatial perception (p: 0.02). UPDRS and MMSE scores of the patients had inverse relation. There were no relationship between the type and the lateralization of the motor symptom and the cognitive dysfunction evaluation scales.Conclusion: Visuospatial perception impairment developes more often in patients whose motor symptoms start from the left side.