Cortical thinning correlates of changes in visuospatial and visuoperceptual performance in Parkinson's disease: A 4-year follow-up. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garcia-Diaz, A.I.; Segura, B.; Baggio, H.C.; Uribe, C.; Campabadal, A.; Abos, A.; Marti, M.J.; Valldeoriola, F.; Compta, Y.; Bargallo, N.; Junque, C.
• Is Part Of: Parkinsonism & related disorders. Volume 46(2018)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Parkinson's disease -- Neuropsychology -- MRI -- Cortical thickness -- Longitudinal data -- Visuospatial functions; Parkinson's disease -- Periodicals; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; Movement Disorders -- Periodicals; Nerve Degeneration -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Parkinson Disease -- Periodicals; Tremor -- Periodicals; Parkinson, Maladie de -- Périodiques; Parkinson's disease; 616.833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.11.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8020

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Growing evidence highlights the relevance of posterior cortically-based cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD) as possible biomarkers of the evolution to dementia. Cross-sectional correlational studies have established a relationship between the degree of atrophy in posterior brain regions and visuospatial and visuoperceptual (VS/VP) impairment. The aim of this study is to address the progressive cortical thinning correlates of VS/VP performance in PD. Methods: Forty-four PD patients and 20 matched healthy subjects were included in this study and followed for 4 years. Tests used to assess VS/VP functions included were: Benton's Judgement of Line Orientation (JLOT), Facial Recognition (FRT), and Visual Form Discrimination (VFDT) Tests; Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT); and the Pentagon Copying Test (PCT). Structural magnetic resonance imaging data and FreeSurfer were used to evaluate cortical thinning evolution. Results: PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC) and PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) differed significantly in the progression of cortical thinning in posterior regions. In PD-MCI patients, the change in VS/VP functions assessed by PCT, JLOT, FRT, and SMDT correlated with the symmetrized percent change of cortical thinning of occipital, parietal, and temporal regions. In PD-NC patients, we also observed a correlation between changes in FRT and thinning in parieto-occipital regions. Conclusion: In this study, we establish the neuroanatomical substrate of progressive changes in VS/VP performance in PD patients with and without MCI. In agreement with cross-sectional data, VS/VP changes over time are related to cortical thinning in posterior regions. Highlights: PD-MCI patients have VS/VP impairment. PD-MCI patients evidence progressive thinning of posterior regions. Changes in VS/VP functions in PD-MCI patients correlate with this thinning.