title: Cognition in a multiple system atrophy series of cases from Argentina.
abstract: Cognitive dysfunction may occur in 17-40% of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). It has been suggested a milder cognitive impairment in cerebellar (MSA-C) than in parkinsonian variant (MSA-P). However, differences in cognitive profiles remain under discussion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate cognitive features in a series of patients with "probable MSA" from Argentina.
  
  
  METHODS
  After informed consent was obtained, an extensive cognitive tests battery was administered. Nine patients (6 MSA-P and 3 MSA-C) composed the sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression was detected in 43% of patients. Seven patients showed at least one cognitive domain impairment. Temporospatial orientation, visuospatial abilities, executive and attentional functions, episodic memory and language were compromised in MSA-P, while MSA-C dysfunction was restricted to attentional and executive domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the small sample size, our findings could suggest a more widespread cognitive impairment in MSA-P than MSA-C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Disorders, Instituto Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gatto
authors.affiliation: Unit of Cognitive Neuroscience, Instituto Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demey
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Disorders, Instituto Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanguinetti
authors.affiliation: Sanatorio de la Trinidad Mitre, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement Disorders, Instituto Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Etcheverry
authors.affiliation: Unit of Cognitive Neuroscience, Instituto Neurociencias de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Galeno
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: Sanatorio de la Trinidad Mitre, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Gregor K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wenning
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*