title: Cognitive dysfunction in Tunisian LRRK2 associated Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cognitive impairment and dementia are frequent and debilitating features associated with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). However the prevalence and the pattern of these complications are lacking for LRRK2 (leucine-rich kinase 2)-associated PD patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive function in LRRK2- associated PD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  55 patients diagnosed with PD-related LRRK2 G2019S mutation were included in the study and compared to the same number of G2019S non-carriers PD patients. Age, sex, disease duration, the movement disorder society-unified Parkinson's Disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr stage, Schwab and England scale and the 30-item geriatric depression scale (GDS) scores were noted. Cognitive assessment included MMSE (Mini-Mental Examination), MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and FAB (Frontal Assessment Battery).
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMSE, MOCA and FAB performance in G2019S carriers PD patients was similar to that of non-carriers. In both groups, performance was primarily impaired on visuospatial and executive tasks. Cognitive impairment was associated with older age, lower educational level and increased severity of motor impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive functions were similarly affected in PD patients with and without LRRK2 G2019S mutation with mainly impaired visuospatial and executive abilities. However, these results need to be confirmed by further large and prospective studies.
authors: Neurology Department, National Institute of Neurology, La Rabta-1007, Tunis, Tunisia. bensassisam@yahoo.fr
authors: Samia
authors: S
authors: Ben Sassi
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Nabli
authors: Emna
authors: E
authors: Hentati
authors: Houda
authors: H
authors: Nahdi
authors: Meriam
authors: M
authors: Trabelsi
authors: Hela
authors: H
authors: Ben Ayed
authors: Rim
authors: R
authors: Amouri
authors: John Eric
authors: JE
authors: Duda
authors: Matthew John
authors: MJ
authors: Farrer
authors: Fayçal
authors: F
authors: Hentati
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: C495280:LRRK2 protein, human; D000071158:Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases