Impaired cognitive functions in adult-onset primary cranial cervical dystonia

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 162 - 165
• Main Authors: Romano, Raffaella, Bertolino, Alessandro, Gigante, Angelo, Martino, Davide, Livrea, Paolo, Defazio, Giovanni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognitive functions; Dystonia; Dystonia - congenital; Dystonic Disorders - complications; Dystonic Disorders - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Processing speed; Short term memory; Torticollis - complications; Torticollis - congenital; Torticollis - psychology; Visual motor ability; Working memory; Processing speed; Dystonia; Working memory; Visual motor ability; Short term memory; Cognitive functions
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2013.10.008

Abstract Background Adult-onset primary dystonia is thought to be a purely motor disorder. Nevertheless, several studies provided evidence that sensory and psychiatric disturbances may contribute to the clinical spectrum of of dystonia, whereas evidence supporting cognitive impairment is still limited. Methods A set of neuropsychological tests was administered to non depressed, non demented patients with cranial-cervical dystonia and healthy control subjects. The test battery included n -Back Task, Wechsler Memory Scale, Trail Making Test version A and B, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Results As compared with healthy control subjects of similar age, sex and socio-economic status, patients with cranial-cervical dystonia showed deficit on working memory functions revealed by n -Back task, impairment of mental control and visual reproduction subtests of Wechsler memory scale, deficit on information processing speed and set-shifting capacity revealed by Trail Making Test A and B. Conclusion Patients with cranial-cervical dystonia may have impairment in specific cognitive domains relative to working memory, processing speed, visual motor ability and short term memory. Probably, these deficits are not dependent on the clinical expression of dystonia but might rather reflect the cortical and subcortical changes highlighted by functional and VBM imaging studies in patients with different forms of dystonia.