Apraxia in Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy

Objective: To determine praxis function in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods: Nineteen patients with PD and 16 patients with probable MSA were recruited into study. Twenty-five age-matched, healthy subjects were included as controls. The Mayo Clinic praxis test battery was applied. Pantomime tasks, including oral/facial, trunk, and upper extremity movement, were used to evaluate ideomotor apraxia (IMA). Sequential tasks, including Luria test for ideational apraxia (IDA) and use of actual objects, were also tested. In addition, Standardized Mini Mental Test (MMSE), Hamilton Depression (HAM-D), and Anxiety (HAM-A) Scales were used. Results: Mean ages of the study participants were 66 ± 7, 68 ± 5, and 65 ± 7 years in PD, MSA, and control groups, respectively. Mean total praxis score was significantly lower for patients with PD (92.4 ± 4) and MSA (75.9 ± 18) than for controls (97.4 ± 2) (P = 0.000). Transitive performances of upper extremities and sequential tasks were significantly impaired in patients with PD compared to control subjects (P