title: Dopamine and cognitive function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the cognitive deficits of idiopathic Parkinson's disease are now relatively well known, their neuropsychological and neurobiological basis are still discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As well as recent findings on cognitive changes and their underlying mechanisms, we will review new approaches concerning the effects of levo-dihydroxyphenylalanine, those of deep-brain stimulation and recent developments on personality disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research directions concern the relative influence of the striatofrontal loops in cognition and personality, and the respective contribution of subcortical and cortical lesions or dysfunctions, both in dementia and in specific cognitive and personality changes.
authors.affiliation: INSERM EMI 007 and Fédération de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris, France. bernard.pillon@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pillon
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Czernecki
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dubois
mesh_terms: D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D004298:Dopamine