Integrative functions in parkinsonism.

Abstract

The effects of neurological involvement upon integrative performance were assessed through visual-motor, perceptual, and cognitive test performance of parkinsonian and cardiac patients. No significant differences were obtained between the test results of parkinsonian and cardiac patients. For parkinsonian patients no significant variations in “higher integrative” functions could be attributed to differences in sex, age, extent of voluntary movement impairment, and laterality or severity of neurological involvement. Degree of autonomic nervous system impairment was related to psychological performance only in one test (“Odd Words” test). It was suggested that perceptual-cognitive performance of groups of parkinsonian Ss does not necessarily qualify as “organic” in the usual psychological sense.