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Lanier - Cognitive impairment is worsening of mental function - it can include reasoning ability, ability to learn and remember new material, and so forth. One of the specific cognitive impairments that seems to be linked to PD, I've read, is spatial judgment and spatial memory. Perhaps Charlie or one of the other listmembers can add more, or correct me if I'm wrong.. 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 << I copied this para from the times article, could someone explain to me what exactly this means. What is "cognitive impairment" and what causes it, PD itself, or the medications The disease progresses at different rates in different people, and there is no way to predict how quickly Ms. Reno's condition will deteriorate. About one-quarter to one-third of all patients have cognitive impairment, but DR. Weiner says there is no evidence of this in Ms. Reno. >>