Do subjective memory complaints herald the onset of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson disease?
BACKGROUND
Longitudinal studies on healthy participants have shown that subjective memory impairment (defined as subjective cognitive complaints with normal cognitive objective performance) might be a strong predictor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Parkinson disease (PD) also manifests cognitive disturbances, but whether subjective memory complaints may predict the development of MCI in PD has not yet been explored.


METHODS
We prospectively screened newly diagnosed, untreated patients with PD in order to evaluate whether subjective memory complaints may predict development of MCI over a 2-year follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
We enrolled 76 de novo untreated patients with PD. Of the 76 patients, 23 (30.3%) complained memory issues. Among the patients cognitively unimpaired at baseline, those with subjective complaints were more likely to develop MCI at follow-up. The regression model confirmed that presence of subjective memory complaints at baseline was an independent predictor of development of MCI at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first prospective study to explore the relationship between subjective and objective cognitive deficits in newly diagnosed, untreated patients. Our results provide preliminary evidence that subjective memory complaints might predict future development of MCI.
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.
Roberto
R
Erro
Department of Psychology, Neuropsychology Laboratory, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy IDC Hermitage-Capodimonte, Naples, Italy.
Gabriella
G
Santangelo
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases-CEMAND, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy pbarone@unisa.it.
Paolo
P
Barone
Department of Neurological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Marina
M
Picillo
IDC Hermitage-Capodimonte, Naples, Italy.
Marianna
M
Amboni
IDC Hermitage-Capodimonte, Naples, Italy.
Katia
K
Longo
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases-CEMAND, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
Flavio
F
Giordano
Department of Neurological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Marcello
M
Moccia
Department of Neurological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Roberto
R
Allocca
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases-CEMAND, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
Maria Teresa
MT
Pellecchia
IDC Hermitage-Capodimonte, Naples, Italy Department of Motor Sciences, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
Carmine
C
Vitale
D000368:Aged; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Parkinson disease; cognitive impairment; cognitive testing