Abstract.
We assessed the effect of pathology and L-dopa therapy on attention, working memory, and executive functions, in newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease patients. Twenty-one consecutive outpatients who met the criteria for de novo Parkinson’s disease, and were naive for L-dopa therapy, were observed for the first time. All patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluations (cognitive decline, memory, executive control). Each patient was reevaluated on standard L-dopa therapy. Serial Position Curves showed an increased primacy effect (5.18±2.07) and a decreased recency effect (13.35±5.51). These findings normalized after L-dopa therapy (3.50±1.72 and 16.20±3.09 respectively). The effect of L-dopa on working memory is discussed.
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Marini, P., Ramat, S., Ginestroni, A. et al. Deficit of short-term memory in newly diagnosed untreated parkinsonian patients: reversal after L-dopa therapy. Neurol Sci 24, 184–185 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-003-0121-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-003-0121-3