Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately two percent of individuals aged 65 and older. That’s over one million Americans today, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. But perhaps most importantly, individuals living with Parkinson’s disease are at an increased risk for developing dementia.
It’s estimated that 50 to 80 percent of individuals with Parkinson’s may develop dementia. The average time from the beginning of Parkinson’s to developing dementia is approximately 10 years.
Understanding the unique challenges of this disease and its associated dementia can help improve the quality of life for individuals who have just been diagnosed, whether they are of advanced age or relatively young.
What is Parkinson’s disease (PD)?
Parkinson’s disease is a condition that occurs when the dopamine-producing cells in our brain stop working or die. Besides being the chemical that plays a role in how we experience pleasure, Dopamine also assists in coordinating movement. PD is often first diagnosed when someone begins experiencing tremors, stiffness, slowness and walking/balance problems. Since PD is progressive, these symptoms slowly become worse over time.
What is Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD)?
Parkinson’s disease dementia is cognitive decline that develops in individuals with dementia at least a year after the original diagnosis. Since Parkinson’s is a progressive form of cognitive decline, the brain changes eventually spread to different areas of the brain that affect mental functions.
What causes PD and PDD?
PD and PDD develop when deposits known as “Lewy bodies” build up in the brain. These deposits are composed of a certain protein called alpha-synuclein. Lewy bodies are also what causes another form of dementia, Lewy body dementia (LBD), which has led some researchers to believe that the two types of dementia – LBD and PDD – are actually two variations of the same disease.
Who is at risk for developing PD and PDD?
No one is sure exactly what causes Parkinson’s disease, although genetics, aging and environmental factors may play a part. It’s the same for PDD – we don’t know why some individuals with Parkinson’s develop it while others don’t. However, there are certain risk factors that might potentially increase the risk of developing dementia, such as:
- Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s at an advanced age
- Severe motor symptoms
- Already experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Excessive sleepiness in the daytime
- Postural instability and gait disturbance (PIGD), which is a Parkinson’s symptom that causes a person to “freeze” in mid-step
- Hallucinations when there are no other dementia symptoms present yet
What are the symptoms of PDD?
There is no one set of symptoms that occur in PDD. Just like Parkinson’s itself, the disease is unique in each individual. Some people may experience a variety of symptoms; some may only have a few. Generally, the most common symptoms of PDD are:
- Difficulty interpreting visual information
- Changes in judgment, concentration and memory
- Muffled speech
- Delusions and paranoia
- Visual hallucinations
- Depression, irritability and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
How are PD and PDD treated?
Both Parkinson’s and PDD are incurable, so treatment is based around managing and mitigating both symptoms and side effects caused by symptoms. Certain medications can help people with Parkinson’s and PDD live the highest quality of life possible. It’s incredibly important for these individuals to maintain regular contact with their doctor and have a healthcare team that allows them to stay on top of their health and medications.
What are ways to reduce my risk of developing PDD and other forms of dementia?
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the very best things you can do to reduce your risk of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, PDD and also Parkinson’s itself. For those who have already been diagnosed with one or more of these diseases, exercise and a healthy diet can significantly impact quality of life and keep the individual healthy and functioning for as long as possible. It’s also important to stay mentally engaged, socially connected and try to reduce stress in your life as much as possible.
Great strides are being made in research for a wide variety of cognitive diseases, including Parkinson’s and forms of dementia. In time, we hope to find a cure for all of these diseases. Until then, science and medical technology will continue to strive for more knowledge and better treatment to improve the quality of life for individuals living with the diseases and their loved ones.
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