Gender-related differences in cognitive performance and cognitive stimulation efficacy in subjects with Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Gender-related differences in cognitive performances of subjects with Parkinson's Disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI-PD) have been recently investigated in a few studies, yielding heterogeneous results. Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a promising non-pharmacological treatment in MC...

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Published in:Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience pp. 1 - 12
Main Authors: Iaccino, Noemi, Buonocore, Jolanda, Torchia, Giusi, Curcio, Francesca, Pirrotta, Fabio M., Contrada, Marianna, Pignolo, Loris, Gambardella, Antonio, Arabia, Gennarina
Format: research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      jtl: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
      issn: 16634365
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      dt: 2025
      pid: 40038
      pub: Frontiers Media S.A.
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        10.3389/fnagi.2025.1672084
        189104465
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        atl: Gender-related differences in cognitive performance and cognitive stimulation efficacy in subjects with Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
      aug:
        au:
          Iaccino, Noemi
          Buonocore, Jolanda
          Torchia, Giusi
          Curcio, Francesca
          Pirrotta, Fabio M.
          Contrada, Marianna
          Pignolo, Loris
          Gambardella, Antonio
          Arabia, Gennarina
        affil: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Neurology, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
      sug:
        subj:
          Parkinson Disease Psychosocial Factors
          Cognition Disorders Therapy
          Sex Factors
          Cognition Evaluation
          Cognitive Therapy Methods
          Treatment Outcomes Evaluation
          Funding Source
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Randomized Controlled Trials
          Random Assignment
          Academic Medical Centers
          Italy
          Neuropsychological Tests
          Activities of Daily Living
          Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)
          Scales
          Questionnaires
          Data Analysis Software
          Unpaired T-Tests
          Mann-Whitney U Test
          Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test
          Multivariate Analysis of Covariance
          Multiple Linear Regression
          Descriptive Statistics
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Gender-related differences in cognitive performances of subjects with Parkinson's Disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI-PD) have been recently investigated in a few studies, yielding heterogeneous results. Cognitive stimulation (CS) is a promising non-pharmacological treatment in MCI-PD subjects and no data regarding gender differences in its efficacy are available yet. The aim of this study was to investigate gender-related differences in cognitive functions and CS efficacy in subjects with MCI-PD. Methods: Forty-five MCI-PD subjects (30 men, 15 women) were randomized to a 4-week CS program, delivered either via tele-rehabilitation (TR) or with a conventional in-person approach. A broad clinical and neuropsychological assessment, including the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire, was conducted at baseline (T1), post-treatment (T2), and at 6-month follow-up (T3). Results: At baseline, women showed a lower cognitive reserve (CR) compared to men (p = 0.039). After adjusting for CR, women performed worse than men in global cognition, attention, and visuospatial abilities. After CS treatment, men demonstrated significant improvements in global cognition, language, executive functions, working memory, visuospatial abilities, attention, and trait anxiety (p < 0.05). Women showed significant improvements in global cognition (MoCA, p = 0.036) and mood (BDI, p = 0.021). Men outperformed women in several domains, both in TR and in-person rehabilitation groups. Regression models revealed a stronger modulatory effect of CR in global cognition, attention, memory, and language, in women. After a 6-month treatment discontinuation, cognitive performance measures significantly worsened in all subjects, regardless of gender. Conclusion: Our study showed gender-related differences both in cognitive functions and in efficacy of CS in subjects with MCI-PD, also highlighting the role of cognitive reserve. These findings support the relevance of developing gender-tailored cognitive rehabilitation strategies to enhance treatment outcomes and improve the quality of life for individuals with MCI-PD.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        randomized controlled trial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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