Cognitive Deficits (Thinking Difficulties) associated with Neuro-degenerative Diseases
Important Notice!
It is important to note that the severity and extent of cognitive changes that accompany Neuro-degenerative Diseases will vary enormously from person to person. Below is a brief overview of some of the changes that may be observed to a more or lesser agree with Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Motor Neuron Disease. Please note that this is not a comprehensive and exhaustive checklist of symptoms. A neuropsychological assessment is needed to identify if any of these or other difficulties are present for each patient. A neuropsychological assessment will also identify psychological strengths to deal with any presenting symptoms and deficits.
Huntington's disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Huntington's Disease are:
Parkinson's disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease are:
Motor Neurone Disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease are:
Important Notice!
It is important to note that the severity and extent of cognitive changes that accompany Neuro-degenerative Diseases will vary enormously from person to person. Below is a brief overview of some of the changes that may be observed to a more or lesser agree with Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Motor Neuron Disease. Please note that this is not a comprehensive and exhaustive checklist of symptoms. A neuropsychological assessment is needed to identify if any of these or other difficulties are present for each patient. A neuropsychological assessment will also identify psychological strengths to deal with any presenting symptoms and deficits.
Huntington's disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Huntington's Disease are:
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Diminished memory;
immediate and short-term (long-term memory usually remains intact)
- Speech difficulties
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Poor reasoning/judgment
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Reduced problem-solving ability
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Difficulty sequencing/organizing ideas
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Concentration problems/distractibility/short attention span
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New learning ability diminished
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Problems with numbers and mathematics computations
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Reduced ability to initiate tasks
- Sleeping problems
Parkinson's disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease are:
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Slowness of thinking
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Memory/retrieval difficulties
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Word-finding difficulties
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Diminished problem solving ability
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Diminished ability to make plans and formulate goals
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Attention difficulties
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Difficulties switching between topics
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Difficulties with learning and remembering information
- Difficulties with imagery and spatial processes
Motor Neurone Disease
Cognitive changes that may occur when diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease are:
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Difficulties associated with frontal lobe dementia
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Memory problems
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Difficulties with concentrations
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Difficulties with learning new activities
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Attention difficulties
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Difficulties with planning ahead or manage a sequence of activities
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Difficulties with starting and finishing activities
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Difficulties with multi-tasking
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Understanding complex sentences
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emotional lability
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Impulsivity
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Becoming fixated on one thing
- Lack of insight