Cognition and PD
Cognitive changes can occur in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Aspects of cognition are attention (including working memory), short-term and long-term memory, executive function (such as planning, organizing, and multitasking), language (such as naming objects, word finding, and comprehension), and visuospatial function (such as depth perception and sense of direction).
Some people experience “mild cognitive impairment.” In later stages of PD, problems in thinking and judgment can become more severe – even rising to the level of dementia. In some cases, cognitive changes can be accompanied by hallucinations. Cognitive changes can affect quality of life for both the person with PD and the caregiver/family. Here are some good resources on cognitive changes in PD.
Cognition and PD Overviews
Cognition & PD
By American Parkinson Disease Association, February 17, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorders specialist Kathleen Poston, MD, explains the value of having a thorough cognitive evaluation as a baseline for those with PD. She also discusses how to identify concurrent issues that can make cognitive changes worse, and shares both medication and non-medication strategies for addressing cognitive changes, before answering questions.
Cognitive Changes
By Jennifer G. Goldman, MD, MS, published by American Parkinson Disease Association
The author, a neurologist, defines “cognition," describes cognitive changes in PD, and offers other reasons for cognitive symptoms. The article ends with management strategies for cognitive symptoms.
Cognitive Changes
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This webpage notes that mental and motor decline tend to occur together as Parkinson's progresses. Cognitive impairment is different from dementia but can still have a negative impact on caregiver stress and quality of life. The causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and co-existing conditions that affect thinking and memory, as well as treatment and tips for caregivers are summarized.
Memory & Thinking Changes
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
This webpage defines mild cognitive impairment and the dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, causes and treatments, evaluating cognitive problems with your doctor, maintaining brain health, and ongoing research.
Thinking and Memory Problems with Parkinson's Disease
By Veterans Health Administration
This 8-minute video alternates between an interview with a man sharing his memory problems due to Parkinson's disease, with doctors explaining how cognitive changes and memory problems manifest in PD and how they test to determine if those changes are significant enough to be treated as dementia.
Understanding Thinking Changes in Parkinson's Disease
By Parkinson's Foundation, April 7, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, listeners will learn key features of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease, including what symptoms may occur and why they may develop. Strategies for dealing with cognitive changes will be discussed, along with medications and potential research interventions in the field. An interdisciplinary approach regarding cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease will be highlighted.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease
By American Parkinson Disease Association, 2024
This two-page fact sheet defines mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and explains how to tell if you have MCI. It covers what to do about it, ways to help prevent MCI from progressing to dementia, strategies to mitigate the effects of MCI on daily life, and participating in clinical trials.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
Thinking Changes in Parkinson's - Engaging Neuropsychology
By Parkinson's Foundation, January 6, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, Travis Turner, PhD, explains why you might be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation, what is done during such an evaluation, how the information learned during an evaluation is used, and tips for performing your best during an evaluation. After the talk he answered several questions about coping with cognitive changes when you have PD or are caring for someone with PD.
Cognition and Mood Symptoms
Cognition & How it Relates to Other Non-Motor Symptoms
By Davis Phinney Foundation, October 30, 2019
In this wide-ranging one-hour webinar, Dr. Jennifer Goldman discusses cognitive symptoms, depression, other mood issues, and psychosis. She addresses "confounding factors" that affect cognition and signs that may indicate changes in cognition are the result of medication side effects or infections. Finally, she notes the emotional toll that cognitive, mood, and other non-motor symptoms can have on a person with PD and their care partners and how to manage it.
Cognition and Mood and How to Manage Them
By Davis Phinney Foundation, October 3, 2020
In this 50-minute webinar, Greg Pontone, MD, distinguishes the cognitive changes commonly seen in those with dementia from the cognitive changes seen in Parkinson's disease (PD). He shares medications used to treat dementia and highlights those that are more effective for the cognitive changes in Parkinson's. Dr. Pontone also talks about depression and anxiety; specifically, the impact depression has on quality of life, and meditations to treat it, and how increased feelings of anxiety can be directly related to the wearing-off of medications.
Mental Health and PD
By Parkinson’s Foundation, September 18, 2018
In this one-hour webinar, psychiatrist Laura March discusses the overlap of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric aspects of PD, as well as describing the features of co-morbid psychiatric disturbances, including depression, anxiety and psychosis along with general approaches to treatment.
Mind, Mood & Memory
Edited by Rebecca Martine, APRN, and John Duda, MD, published by National Parkinson Foundation (now Parkinson's Foundation)
This 94-page booklet provides an overview of the mental health aspects of PD, including depression, anxiety, loss of emotional control, and loss of impulse control, and how they can be effectively manage. Changes in memory, confusional states, daytime sleepiness, sleep problems, and generalized fatigue are addressed. There's a full chapter on Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Psychiatric & Cognitive Complications in Parkinson’s
By Davis Phinney Foundation, September 11, 2019
Depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, psychosis and impulse control can be common in people with Parkinson’s. They affect quality of life for both people with Parkinson’s and care partners. In this webinar Dr Daniel Weintraub discusses these issues, the correlation between mood, motor function and Levodopa levels, and more. Registration is required, but it is free.
Cognition and Hallucinations
Cognition and Psychosis
By PMD Alliance, June 17 2020
In this 48-minute webinar, geriatric psychiatrist Daniel Weintraub, MD, provides an overview of the neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms that can occur in PD. He discusses the range of symptoms that comprise PD psychosis, including illusions, hallucinations, and delusions. He also covers the changes in memory and thinking that can occur in PD. For each topic, he describes how these symptoms may present, potential risk factors, how the symptoms are assessed, and management options.
Management and Coping Strategies
Brain Boost: A Conversation on Thinking, Memory and Parkinson's
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, March 18, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, a panel of experts and a person with Lewy Body Dementia answered questions about cognitive changes typical in those with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Lewy Body Dementia. They discussed what's normal and what's not, the impact cognitive changes have on everyday life, strategies for both the person with PD and care partners to cope with these changes. Experts reported what researchers know about predicting who is likely to suffer significant cognitive change with PD.
Cognition: A Mind Guide to Parkinson’s Disease
Published by Parkinson’s Foundation, 2018
This 52-page booklet offers coping strategies for people with cognitive changes due to Parkinson’s disease, and their caregivers. The information, tips, and stories are intended to help organize thoughts and questions for your medical team. Read online, download the booklet, or order a physical copy. This booklet is based on the 94-page booklet "Mind, Mood & Memory," linked below.
Cognitive Changes in Parkinson's Disease
By American Parkinson Disease Association, 2023
This two-page fact sheet describes cognitive symptoms in PD and how cognition is evaluated. It discusses causes of cognitive issues. Finally, medication and non-medication management strategies are suggested, along with a reminder that driving is impacted by cognitive changes and should be evaluated.
Spark: The Panel Discussion following the documentary about Robin Williams and his Battle With Lewy Body Dementia
By Family Caregiver Alliance, June 30, 2021
In this 42-minute webinar, Bruce Miller, MD, answers questions about Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Panelists Dianne and Denise share their experiences getting diagnosed and caregiving for family members with LBD.
En Español
Cambios cognitivos en la enfermedad de Parkinson
Por la Asociación Estadounidense de la Enfermedad de Parkinson (APDA), 2023
Esta hoja informativa de dos páginas describe los cambios cognitivos comunes en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson y cómo se evalúa la cognición. Aborda el deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) y la demencia, así como las causas del DCL en personas con Parkinson. Finalmente, se proponen estrategias de manejo con y sin medicamentos, junto con un recordatorio de que los cambios cognitivos pueden afectar la capacidad para conducir y deben ser evaluados.
La Enfermedad de Parkinson: Mente, Estado de Animo y Memoria
Editado por Rebecca Martine, APRN, y John Duda, MD, publicado por la National Parkinson Foundation (ahora Parkinson’s Foundation)
Este folleto de 94 páginas ofrece una visión general de los aspectos de salud mental relacionados con la enfermedad de Parkinson, incluyendo la depresión, la ansiedad, la pérdida de control emocional y la pérdida de control de los impulsos, así como formas eficaces de manejarlos. También aborda los cambios en la memoria, los estados confusionales, la somnolencia diurna, los problemas de sueño y la fatiga generalizada. Incluye un capítulo completo sobre la demencia con cuerpos de Lewy.
Seminario web sobre la demencia con cuerpos de Lewy – grabación y presentación
Por Brain Support Network (en colaboración con Stanford Neurology)
Este seminario web, presentado por Brain Support Network y Stanford Neurology, ofrece una visión general sobre la demencia con cuerpos de Lewy y la enfermedad de Parkinson. Moderado por Linda Higueras, incluye una charla de la Dra. Carla Abdelnour sobre síntomas, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se encuentran disponibles la grabación en YouTube, las diapositivas en PDF, notas detalladas y recursos clave para ayudar a pacientes y cuidadores a comprender mejor estas enfermedades.
Last updated October 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.