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Parkinson’s Onset Side Predicts Divergent Cognitive and Mental Health Trajectories

A systematic review shows right-side motor onset increases dementia risk; left-side onset raises anxiety and depression.

The study calls for the systematic integration of this symptomatic variable into the diagnostic process to ensure personalised care for each patient. Credit: Neuroscience News
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Overview

  • The review analyzed 80 studies spanning five decades and was published in npj Parkinson’s Disease.
  • Patients with initial right-sided motor symptoms experienced accelerated global cognitive decline and higher dementia incidence.
  • Those with left-sided onset were more likely to develop depression, anxiety and challenges in emotion recognition.
  • Researchers recommend integrating motor symptom asymmetry into Parkinson’s diagnostics to enable personalized care.
  • Future research will standardize asymmetry measurement methods and explore whether similar lateralized patterns occur in related disorders.