To test the hypothesis that hemispheric weighted neurocognitive tests can be used to predict disease progression from stage I to stage II in EOPD patients.

Clinical distinction of stage I PD versus stage II PD is difficult due to the effects of pharmacotherapy masking subtle clinical signs despite overnight withdrawal of medications at office visits. This prevents clinicians from providing adequate prognostic counselling to EOPD patients who are still working and raising families. A simple easy to use bedside clinical tool to assess disease progression in EOPD patients is an unmet need.

A total of 43 stage I EOPD subjects and 14 stage II EOPD subjects were assessed using a battery neuropsychological tests to evaluate several cognitive domains that have been identified in previous literature using an IRB approved protocol. All subjects were right-handed and diagnosed with PD between the ages 40 and 59. All of the subjects were screened for cognitive impairment (MoCA ≥26), depression (BDI ≤23) and were assessed for motor symptoms using the UPDRS.

The MRT may be a valid neuropsychological test to discriminate visuospatial cognitive differences in stage I EOPD participants based on motor symptom onset. Furthermore, the MRT may be a useful bedside clinical tool to monitor disease progression from stage I to stage II in EOPD subjects.