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Co-occurrence of parkinsonism and dementia in clinical practice

Relevant differential diagnoses

Kombiniertes Auftreten von Parkinsonismus und Demenz in der klinischen Praxis

Relevante Differenzialdiagnosen

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Abstract

Co-occurrence of parkinsonism and dementia is commonly observed in the aging population. This narrative review gives an overview of disorders regularly presenting with these symptoms, e.g., idiopathic Parkinson disease with dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration syndrome, vascular cognitive impairment, drug-induced parkinsonism, and normal-pressure hydrocephalus. Both a thoroughly performed medical history and a comprehensive clinical examination can narrow down relevant differential diagnoses. Characteristic clinical and neuropsychological features are highlighted, including cognitive screening strategies. Neurophysiological and neuropathological aspects of the disorders are briefly discussed to give a better understanding of treatment options.

Zusammenfassung

Das kombinierte Auftreten von Parkinsonismus und Demenz findet sich relativ häufig bei älteren und alten Menschen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die klinische Präsentation, Pathogenese und therapeutischen Optionen von häufigen Krankheitsbildern, die mit dieser Symptomkonstellation einhergehen, z. B. idiopathisches Parkinson-Syndrom, Lewy-Körper-Demenz, progressive supranukleäre Blickparese, kortikobasale Degeneration, vaskuläre Demenz, Normaldruckhydrozephalus und medikamentös induzierte/r Demenz/Parkinsonismus. Mithilfe einer detaillierten medizinischen Anamnese und einer fokussierten klinischen Untersuchung können relevante differenzialdiagnostische Aspekte herausgearbeitet werden.

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Conflict of interest

The corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe-Seyler Str. 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany

    I. Liepelt-Scarfone & W. Maetzler

  2. DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tuebingen, Germany

    I. Liepelt-Scarfone & W. Maetzler

  3. Geriatrische Rehabilitationsklinik, Krankenhaus GmbH, Ehingen, Germany

    M. Jamour

  4. Department of Clinical Gerontology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany

    M. Jamour & W. Maetzler

Authors
  1. I. Liepelt-Scarfone
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  2. M. Jamour
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  3. W. Maetzler
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Correspondence to W. Maetzler.

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Liepelt-Scarfone, I., Jamour, M. & Maetzler, W. Co-occurrence of parkinsonism and dementia in clinical practice. Z Gerontol Geriat 45, 23–33 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-011-0261-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-011-0261-7

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