Hypothesis: the bradyphrenia of parkinsonism is a nosological entity.
Reaction time was studied in 103 subjects with idiopathic parkinsonism and 144 without. Central processing time, as measured by the response to a warning, had a component which could be explained by the presence or absence of parkinsonism, but not by the ageing process, a mental test score, or consumption of exogenous substances. Depression did not influence the efficiency of response. Cigarette smoking and anti-parkinsonian medication were associated with greater efficiency.
Dobbs
R J
RJ
Therapeutics in the Elderly, Research Group, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, England.
Bowes
S G
SG
Charlett
A
A
Henley
M
M
Frith
C
C
Dickins
J
J
Dobbs
S M
SM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011336:Probability; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D007980:Levodopa