New Booklet Makes Reassuring Reading for Parkinson's Patients

Booklet on the cognitive aspects of Parkinson's

A new booklet dealing with a difficult subject in a positive and reassuring way; cognitive problems - including dementia - in Parkinson's.

This new booklet - "Cognitive Aspects of Parkinson's" - should provide welcome reassurance for thousands of Parkinson's patients who may hold fears that they will develop dementia, according to Consultant Neurologist Dr .Niall Tubridy of St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.

"Parkinson's is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting people between the age of 40 and 70 years, and because a link has been identified between it and dementia, many patients and their families are unduly worried that the onset of Parkinson's also means that they will develop menentia", said Dr. Tubridy, adding that this booklet "deals with a difficult topic in a positive and reassuring way and allays some of the fears and presumptions of the newly diagnosed patient".

While most people with Parkinson's develop tremor, slowness of movement and muscle rigidity, about two in five go on to experience further issues with cognition, leading many to fear the onset of dementia.

Professor Brian Lawlor of the Dept. of Psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin, said that dementia was characterised by problems with attention and concentration and a progessive loss of short term memory, which interfered with day to day functioning.

"But while almost all people with Parkinson's will experience some slowness of thought and difficulty with concentration, particularly during times of stress or when tired, that does not necessarily represent dementia."

He added that concentration and memory lapses in Parkinson's could be due to depression,which is quite common and should be treated.

Professor Lawlor also observed that problems with Dementia, where they occurred, were generally associated with more advanced Parkinson's, and that there were now effective treatments available.

Parkinson' Association Chairperson, Una Anderson Ryan says that the booklet provides advice for both patient and carer, along with good practical tips on minimising the effects of any cognitive complications that mght occur in Parkinson's.

The booklet is available from the Parkinson's association - Freephone 1 800 359 359.