Objective: To observe whether visual hallucinations serve as a predictor of Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Background: Visual hallucinations (VH) is one of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Accumulating evidence disclosed that frontal lobe dysfunction and disturbances of visual perception may contribute to the development of VH in PD. The occurrence of VH are common among patients with PD dementia. It is plausible that non-demented PD patients with VH might be prone to have dementia in the future. To further confirm the usefulness of VH as a predictor of dementia among patients with PD, we perform a longitudinal observatory study.

Methods: We collected 31 non-demented PD patients and separated them into VH group and no VH group. Complete neuropsychological battery and visual event-related potential were performed as they were enrolled into the study. After follow-up for 8 years at outpatient clinic, we observe the ratio of PD patients progressing into dementia in two groups.

Results: Among VH group, 4 out of 10 PD patients were found to develop dementia. Among no VH group, only 1 out of 21 PD patients were found to develop dementia after 8 year outpatient clinic follow up. Electrophysiological measurement using event-related potentials showed more abnormality in P300 latencies among VH group, comparing to no VH group. Neuropsychological tests also disclosed more cognitive dysfunction in VH group, comparing to no VH group.

Conclusions: VH is not uncommon in non-demented PD patients. MCI and abnormal P300 latencies are more common in non-demented PD patients who develop VH. Similar to MCI, VH may be considered as a possible predictor of PD dementia.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/visual-hallucinations-may-serve-as-a-possible-predictor-for-parkinsons-disease-dementia/