Parkinson's disease: This little-known symptom is more common than you might think

Parkinson's disease isoften associated with well-known symptoms such as tremors and muscular rigidity. However, there is a little-known symptom that deserves our attention, and that is hallucinating. These hallucinations, which give the impression of being observed by someone when you're alone, also known as scopesthesia, are more common in Parkinson's patients than you might think.

Hallucinating is a neglected symptom of Parkinson's disease

In fact, it has been found that presence hallucinations can appear before the more familiar symptoms of the disease, such as tremors. This means that if you regularly experience this feeling of being followed for no apparent reason, it could be an early sign of Parkinson's disease.

Unfortunately, these hallucinations of presence are often overlooked or regarded as side effects of treatment. Patients don't always report them to their doctors, believing them to be isolated and unimportant phenomena. However, a recent study by the Laboratoire de neurosciences cognitives Neuro-X Institute and Brain Mind Institute, in Geneva, Switzerland, published in Nature Mental Health has shown a link between early hallucinations and cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients.

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Link between early hallucinations and cognitive decline

Dr Olaf Blanke, a neurologist at EPFL and co-author of the study, said:

We now know that early hallucinations should be taken seriously in Parkinson's disease.

Study process

The study involved 75 patients aged 60-70 with Parkinson's disease, to explore the impact of hallucinations in these individuals. Each participant underwent in-depth interviews with specialists to assess their level of disease-related cognitive impairment, as well as psychiatric interviews to gather valuable information about their hallucinations.

The researchers also measured the participants' brain activity at rest using an electroencephalogram (EEG), a test that records electrical impulses between neurons using electrodes placed on the scalp. The EEG performed on resting Parkinson's patients revealed abnormal patterns of brainwave activity.

Patients who experienced presence hallucinations showed 'increased frontal theta oscillations', indicating higher levels of oscillatory electrical activity in the frontal region of the brain, particularly in the theta frequency range.

Faster cognitive decline

Yet patients with presence hallucinations at the onset of the disease experienced more rapid cognitive decline after five years. One study even revealed increased oscillatory activity in the frontal region of the brain in patients with these hallucinations. These findings suggest that presence hallucinations could be an early marker of cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients.

A symptom common to other neurodegenerative diseases?

Also in the context of this study, Dr Bernasconi stated:

So far, we only have evidence linking cognitive decline and early hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, but this could also apply to other neurodegenerative diseases.

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The importance of reporting hallucinations to your doctor

It is therefore crucial to report these hallucinations to doctors, even if they are mild. Early detection of signs of dementia enables early management of the disease and the development of improved, personalized therapies to improve patients' cognitive functions.

It's important to note that presence hallucinations are often under-reported or considered side effects of the medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. That's why it's essential to discuss these symptoms openly with your doctor. Together, you can assess the situation and decide what steps to take to ensure proper management of the disease.

In conclusion,if you feel you're being followed for no apparent reason and you suffer from Parkinson's disease, don't ignore this symptom. Report it to your doctor as soon as possible. Early management of these presence hallucinations can help improve quality of life and cognitive function in Parkinson's patients.

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This article has been translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

Nature Mental Health