The main difference lies in the timing and progression of symptoms. In regular Parkinson's disease, movement-related symptoms (like tremors, shuffling walk, and muscle rigidity) appear first. Some people with Parkinson's may never develop cognitive issues.
However, when someone develops Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) Show Full Answer
The main difference lies in the timing and progression of symptoms. In regular Parkinson's disease, movement-related symptoms (like tremors, shuffling walk, and muscle rigidity) appear first. Some people with Parkinson's may never develop cognitive issues.
However, when someone develops Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), cognitive symptoms emerge after the movement symptoms have been present. These cognitive changes include:
• Memory problems
• Difficulty with problem-solving
• Trouble with attention and focus
• Problems forming sentences
• Behavioral changes The cognitive symptoms occur because of Lewy bodies - protein clusters that build up in different parts of the brain. These can affect:
• Movement control (when in the midbrain)
• Planning and memory (when in the brain cortex)
• Sleep, blood pressure, and mood (when in the brain stem)
Additional symptoms that may develop include:
• Visual hallucinations
• Sleep difficulties, especially during REM sleep
• Depression and anxiety
• Fluctuations in attention and alertness
September 16, 2025
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