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Published on: 3/5/2025

Does Parkinson’s Cause Memory Loss?

Parkinson's mainly affects movement, but as the disease progresses, some people can also experience memory problems. Not everyone with Parkinson's will have memory loss, and the extent of memory issues can vary widely.

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Explanation

Parkinson's disease is known for its movement problems like shaking and stiffness. However, as the illness advances, some individuals may also have trouble with memory and other thinking. In fact, research shows that while memory loss is not an early sign of Parkinson's, it can develop later in the disease process. This memory loss might be linked to a decrease in attention and difficulties in keeping information in mind over time. In some cases, the memory issues are part of a broader condition known as Parkinson's dementia disease. It is important to remember that not every person with Parkinson's will experience significant memory problems. Instead, the changes in memory can be gradual and differ from person to person. Healthcare professionals closely monitor these symptoms, and treatment plans may be over time to help manage both the adjusted movement and memory challenges related to Parkinson's disease.

(References)

  • Hanagasi HA, Tufekcioglu Z, Emre M. Dementia in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Sci. 2017 Mar 15;374:26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.01.012. Epub 2017 Jan 5. PMID: 28088312.

  • Aarsland D, Batzu L, Halliday GM, Geurtsen GJ, Ballard C, Ray Chaudhuri K, Weintraub D. Parkinson disease-associated cognitive impairment. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 Jul 1;7(1):47. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00280-3. Erratum in: Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 Jul 13;7(1):53. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00292-z. PMID: 34210995.

  • Lee EY. Memory Deficits in Parkinson's Disease Are Associated with Impaired Attentional Filtering and Memory Consolidation Processes. J Clin Med. 2023 Jul 10;12(14):4594. doi: 10.3390/jcm12144594. PMID: 37510708; PMCID: PMC10380592.

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