Objective: With this study we aimed to prospectively evaluate the development of cognitive performance in individuals with persistent Mild Parkinsonian Signs (MPS) compared to neurologically healthy controls.

Background: MPS are common in elderly people and are associated with a wide range of severe health outcomes including dementia. So far, only two studies have demonstrated an association between the presence of MPS in non-demented elders and the development of incident dementia during follow-up.

Methods: Out of the TREND study, four hundred and eighty at baseline neurologically healthy elderly people, aged between 50 and 80 years, with complete follow-up data for 3 assessments in 43.8 months, were included in this analysis. Participants underwent a detailed cognitive test battery, evaluation of prodromal markers for neurodegeneration and history of vascular diseases at each study visit. In addition we analysed plasma levels of abeta40 and abeta42 longitudinally.

Results: Out of 480 participants 52 (11%) had persistent MPS. These individuals had reduced cognitive performance (test results) compared to controls at each timepoint of the study. Further, their cognitive test results deteriorated during the follow-up period. In addition, their levels of plasma Amyloid-beta1-42 were reduced and declined over time.

Conclusions: This study shows that there is an association of motor deficits, associated with basal ganglia dysfunction, and cognitive decline as a possible sign for a common neurodegenerative process.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/cognitive-development-in-individuals-with-mild-parkinsonian-signs/