Memory impairment in Parkinson's disease

The article was professionally consulted with Master - Doctor Huynh An Thien - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disease that causes dementia and memory loss. The disease usually occurs in the elderly, and there is no clear difference in incidence between the sexes. Accordingly, memory loss in Parkinson's disease is a serious complication and the biggest concern of people with the disease.

Parkinson's disease is one of the degenerative diseases of nerve cells with the cause thought to be a decrease in the amount of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in the regulation of movement and movement of the human body. . In the early stages, patients only have mild, isolated signs such as hand tremors on one or both sides. Later, people with Parkinson's disease will experience many problems related to the joints in the body such as muscle stiffness, decreased mobility and coordination of rhythmic movements.
Memory impairment in Parkinson's disease is a manifestation in the later stages of people with Parkinson's disease, appearing when the degenerative process affects areas of brain cells responsible for regulating memory function and concentration. central. Memory impairment in Parkinson's disease is not only a decrease in memory loss of events that occur during the day, but also an impairment in remembering how to use language, coordinate movements that the patient had previously perfected. entirely doable. Signs suggestive of memory impairment in Parkinson's disease include:
Loss of concentration Inability to remember recent events Difficulty using spoken and written language Inability to explain or communicate information and ideas for people around Unable to recognize family members, even those who regularly take care of the sick, hallucinations, delusions that make the patient more sensitive and anxious Manifestations of depression, limited communication with people around. Mood swings, irritability Often feel sleepy during the day.

The severity of the symptoms of dementia in Parkinson's disease depends on:
Age: people with Parkinson's disease over the age of 60 have a higher risk of developing dementia than other patients . This is also the factor that plays the largest role in determining the risk and severity of dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease. Gender: Statistics show that men with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing dementia than female patients. Have family members with Alzheimer's dementia Poor response to treatment: The first-line treatment for Parkinson's disease is levodopa, a dopamine precursor that increases dopamine in brain cells. People with Parkinson's disease who respond poorly to this drug also have a higher risk of developing dementia.

Manifestations of gait disorders: Postural and gait disorders are one of the typical manifestations of Parkinson's disease in the late stage. People with Parkinson's disease often move in a stooped position, unable to walk long distances due to loss of balance and stiffness in the joints. People with Parkinson's disease who present with a gait disorder are four times more likely to develop dementia than other patients. Long-term disease: Memory impairment is a manifestation in the late stages of Parkinson's disease, so people living with Parkinson's disease for a long time will have a higher risk of developing memory loss. There are severe manifestations of Parkinson's disease such as depression, sleep disturbances, frequent daytime sleepiness, hallucinations, delusions and other mental disorders. It is difficult to say with certainty whether a patient with Parkinson's disease is at risk for developing dementia. Based on the above risk factors, patients can partly predict their ability. Memory impairment in Parkinson's disease can be well managed or prevented by good adherence to disease treatment combined with measures to train and enhance one's own memory.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain due to a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. However, currently there is no specific treatment to stop the process of brain cell damage. The main goals of treatment are to reduce the severity of symptoms, improve the patient's quality of life, slow the progression of the disease, and prevent dementia. Patients with Parkinson's disease need to coordinate with the treatment doctor, adhere well to the regimen and use of drugs, do not arbitrarily increase or decrease the dose of prescribed drugs.
Some groups of drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease include:
Cholinesterase inhibitor compounds: This is the main group of drugs in the treatment of memory impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease today, helping to provide relief. symptoms and manifestations of dementia and memory impairment. Levodopa: This is also one of a group of drugs used to treat Parkinson's patients. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, helping to increase the concentration of dopamine in nerve cells. When used alone, levodopa can cause hallucinations and delusions, making the condition worse. Therefore, the patient should absolutely not self-medicate without the guidance of the treating physician.

Group of antipsychotics: Used in the treatment of disease, but there are quite a lot of side effects. Patients with Parkinson's disease taking antipsychotics are likely to experience severe altered consciousness, confusion, impaired swallowing, delusions and hallucinations, and an increased risk of exacerbation of other manifestations of Parkinson's disease. . Antidepressants: Depression and memory impairment in Parkinson's disease can be improved when patients use antidepressants. Memory loss in Parkinson's disease is a dangerous complication, so patients with a history of the disease need regular check-ups as prescribed by a doctor, in order to limit the cause and find an appropriate treatment.
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