Category: Parkinson's Disease: Cognitive functions
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the association between anxiety disorders and memory impairment in Parkinson’s disease.The present study aimed to investigate the association between anxiety disorders and memory impairment in Parkinson’s disease.
Background: Cognitive impairment and anxiety are top rated concerns in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PWP). Dementia is evident in 80% of PWP at advanced disease. Emerging evidence suggests that patients with anxiety are 3 times more likely to present with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in PD, which is a prodromal state of dementia [1]. Preliminary evidence has demonstrated a link between memory impairment and anxiety in PWP.
Method: The present study aimed to further investigate this association using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for anxiety disorders and a comprehensive standardised cognitive test battery. The cognitive test battery (N = 82) consisted two tests from each of the following cognitive domains: memory, attention/working memory, executive function, visuospatial and language. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender were constructed to identify cognitive characteristics associated with anxiety disorders compared to no anxiety.
Results: PWP with DSM-5 anxiety disorders compared to those without anxiety demonstrated both immediate (Odds ratio = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.24–0.81, p < 0.01) and delayed recall (Odds ratio = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37–0.96, p = 0.03) verbal memory impairment.
Conclusion: These findings present first evidence that anxiety is associated with verbal memory impairment in PD. Further investigations are warranted to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of this association between anxiety and memory impairment in PWP without dementia, and the contribution of anxiety towards future progression to dementia in PWP.
References: [1] Dissanayaka et. al. [ICICLE-PD study group] Parkinsonism & Related Disorders (2017). Anxiety is associated with cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
N. Dissanayaka, E. Forbes, J. Yang, J. O'Sullivan, D. Copland, K. McMahon, L. Mitchell, G. Byrne. Anxiety disorders are associated with verbal memory impairment in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/anxiety-disorders-are-associated-with-verbal-memory-impairment-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/anxiety-disorders-are-associated-with-verbal-memory-impairment-in-parkinsons-disease/