Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about two years ago, and I am 39 years old. I know it is considered early onset, and my movement neurologist has me on Carbidopa-Levodopa, which is helping with the tremors somewhat. However, what terrifies me more than the physical symptoms is the cognitive aspect. I have been forgetting words mid-sentence, losing track of conversations, and my wife says I repeat stories I told just hours ago.
My doctor called my latest MoCA test score of 24 out of 30 "borderline." At this point, should I be concerned about Parkinson's-related dementia? It is intolerable to think that one day I won't recognize my two small children. Is cognitive deterioration unavoidable if Parkinson's is diagnosed at such a young age, or are there any lifestyle modifications, drugs, or vitamins that can help slow it down?
Please guide.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concerns.
It is common to experience some cognitive deficits even before the onset of Parkinson’s symptoms. These deficits, which may include executive dysfunction, attention deficits, and working memory impairment, are often referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). It is important to note that these symptoms do not indicate dementia and are not predictive of future dementia.
Changing one's lifestyle can be advantageous. Regular exercise, abstaining from drugs, keeping a regular sleep-wake cycle, meditation, acquiring new skills, creating lists of things to do, and refraining from multitasking are all things to think about.
Additionally, cognitive enhancers, a nutritious diet, and drug therapy for underlying mental health conditions (such as anxiety or excessive worry) can also help.
Mild cognitive impairment has a bidirectional nature; it may either progress to major cognitive impairment (dementia) or return to normal cognitive functioning.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Please follow up with more details.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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