Researchers, led by Indian-American scientist Nandakumar Narayanan from the University of Iowa, have made a groundbreaking discovery suggesting that a brief recording of brain data from a single electrode placed on the scalp could be used to predict cognitive problems, including dementia, in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
The findings of this study have the potential to enhance the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as facilitate the development of new biomarkers and targeted therapies for cognitive symptoms associated with the condition. Cognitive decline, including dementia, is a significant but often overlooked symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Narayanan, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, stated that approximately 30 percent of patients experience cognitive symptoms at the early stages of Parkinson’s, with up to 80 percent developing cognitive problems at some point during the course of the disease.
While effective treatments exist for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as medication and deep brain stimulation, treatment options for the cognitive aspects of the disease remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring the potential of electroencephalography (EEG), an inexpensive and non-invasive technology, in diagnosing cognitive impairment in PD patients.
Unlike traditional diagnostic methods that rely on time-consuming pen and paper tests administered and interpreted by neurologists, EEG offers the advantage of continuous monitoring over extended periods of time, ranging from hours to days.
By analyzing the frontal regions of the brain and quantifying low-frequency brain waves known as delta and theta waves, the researchers found a strong association between reduced strength of these specific brain waves during cognitive engagement and cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease.
Surprisingly, the study revealed that diminished cognitive function correlated with weaker low-frequency brain waves when patients were required to pay attention to cues and respond. This observation led the researchers to hypothesize that Parkinson’s patients may struggle to engage basic response processes in the brain, shedding light on the underlying cause of cognitive problems.
The simplicity and effectiveness of the cue-engagement-response process in determining patients’ cognitive status and potential for improvement were particularly noteworthy. This insight could also have practical implications for patient care, as “cueing” Parkinson’s patients to engage in tasks such as walking, talking, or thinking might enhance their performance. If substantiated, this finding could significantly impact the approaches used by rehabilitation, occupational, and speech therapists to assist PD patients.
The study involved 100 Parkinson’s disease patients, encompassing the full spectrum of cognitive function from healthy to dementia, and 49 demographically similar control participants.
The team’s research, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, underscores the potential of EEG as a valuable tool for diagnosing cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease. Further exploration and validation of these findings could open new avenues for early detection and personalized treatment of cognitive symptoms associated with the condition, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s. (Edited)