Neuropsychological Disturbances in Hemiparkinson's Disease

Nine parkinsonian patients with main unilateral symptoms on the right side (RHP) and nine with symptoms on the left side (LHP) were assessed through a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. RHP performed at a lower level than LHP on the WAIS verbal subtests. Although both groups scored poorly on a test of frontal lobe functions, RHP performed significantly lower than LHP. On a line bisection task, LHP showed a mild left hemispatial neglect. In conclusion, mild but significant intergroup differences were observed, tending to correlate with predominantly hemispheric functional deficits.