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At 02:38 PM 8/16/1999 EDT, Margie wrote: > >I don't think even the specialists have agreed on whether PD itself or the >meds causes cognitive impairment. Some meds such as Artane and Cogentin, >which are sometimes given to control tremor, are known for causing mental >impairment in people who take it - there are a number of non-PWP who take >those drugs for other than PD. With drugs given specifically for PD, it's >hard to separate the disease process from the effects of the meds. > >Margie Swindler From a sample of 1, some evidence that it might be the disease itself that causes some cognitive impairment. My Dad (just turned 81) has MSA, a Parkinson's Plus disease. He does not take any of the standard PD meds because they don't seem to help. Most of the time he's still pretty sharp, but I see definite evidence of short term memory problems, especially when he's tired. Jane Koenig Marietta, GA (daughter of Fred, 81/MSA 2 1/2)