Assessment of cognitive functions and quality of life in Parkinson's patients with lateralization

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cognitive functions and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) using cerebral lateralisation prediction, to compare them with healthy individuals and to examine their relationship with the disease. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 37 patients diagnosed with PD and 35 healthy subjects aged 18-70 years. All participants underwent cognitive skills tests including the reasoning ability test (SPMIQ), sustained attention test (COG), speed and quality of response under stress test (DT-DTduration) and visual memory test (TAVTMB). Hand preference was determined with the Edinburg Lateralisation Questionnaire, and emotional state was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The quality of life of the patients with Parkinson's disease was determined by PDQ-39 questionnaire, disease stages were determined by Hoehn Yahr Scale, motor and nonmotor effects were determined by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and the levodopa equivalent dose (LEDD) of the drugs used by the patients was calculated. All data were analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 statistical software. Results: The number of correct DT and SPMIQ was significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group. Attention was significantly higher in the group with disease stage 1. PDQ, BDI, UPDRS-I, UPDRS-II and UPDRS-Total scores were significantly higher and COG value was significantly lower in the group with freezing phenomenon. COG value was significantly higher, DT duration (ms) was shorter, UPDRS-II, UPDRS-III and UPDRS-Total values were significantly lower in patients in the on period. PDQ and BDI values were significantly higher in the left involvement group. BDI values were significantly higher in the group with low ledd value. Conclusion: It was concluded that cognitive functions of PD patients decreased, emotional state and quality of life were also negatively affected, and dopamine level in the brain may have an effect on cognitive functions.