Relation of cognitive function with depression in Parkinson's disease patients

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) with both motor and non-motor symptoms. Sometimes Non-motor symptoms may precede the onset of motor symptoms and include depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and dementia. Cognitive impairment as well as depression are among the most frequent and important neuropsychological deficits found in Parkinson's disease (PD). Depression has a negative impact on cognitive function in PD. Although the relationship between these two factors has rarely been explored.

To find relation of cognitive function with depression in Parkinson's disease patients.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale were administrated to assess the cognitive function and depression. 30 Parkinson's disease patient above 50 years of age were included. Patients with coexisting serious chronic illness were excluded from study.

Analysis was done by Pearson correlation to find correlation between cognitive function and depression in Parkinson's disease patients and it was found moderately negative correlation (r=0.56, P=<0.05).

There is moderately negative correlation between cognitive function and depression in Parkinson's disease patients. Therefore, it suggests that patients with PD and depression have significant impairments in cognitive function.