A Literature Review of Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease: From Risk    Factors to Diagnostics and Treatments

Author: Omkar Gowda

Affiliation: Barrington High School, United States

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Abstract:​​​​

Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects a significant portion of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This literature review synthesizes current research on the risk factors, underlying mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and emerging therapies for PDD to provide a foundational understanding of the disease and highlight debates within research. A literature search was conducted through PubMed using keywords including “(Parkinson’s Disease Dementia) AND (Risk factors), (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia) AND (Diagnostic Criteria), (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia) AND (Lewy Body Dementia), (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia) AND (Pharmacological Treatment Methods), (Parkinson’s Disease Dementia) AND (Clinical Criteria)” Studies published within the last 20 years were prioritized, focusing on clinical, pathological, and therapeutic insights. Findings reveal that demographic factors (advanced age, longer disease duration, male gender), genetic mutations (GBA, SNCA), and environmental exposures (pesticides, traumatic brain injury) increase PDD risk. Mechanistically, PDD is characterized by cholinergic deficits, dopaminergic dysfunction, and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates called Lewy bodies, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and synaptic transmission failure. Diagnosis is guided by the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) criteria, emphasizing cognitive decline beyond motor impairments, including executive dysfunction, memory loss, visuospatial difficulties, and attention deficits. Treatment options include pharmacological therapies such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, which provide limited benefits and often have side effects, as well as non-pharmacological approaches like cognitive rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications. However, both treatment strategies face limitations and inconsistent patient response. Emerging therapies, including immunotherapies targeting alpha-synuclein, gene therapies, and stem cell-based approaches, hold potential for modifying disease progression. Overall, this review highlights the complexity of PDD and the limited treatment options available for managing the disease and the aim of providing a foundation for understanding the disease and highlighting debates within current research.

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Keywords: Parkinson’s disease dementia, neurodegeneration, Lewy bodies, risk factors, diagnostic criteria, treatment strategies​

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ISSN 3069-8200