The Relationship between Visuospatial Impairments and Retinal and Cortical Thickness in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

The paper touches upon current views on the pathophysiology of visuospatial impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD). To assess thickness of retina’s ganglionic layer, retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular map, optical coherence tomography method was used. Brain MRI was also performed followed by evaluation of the cortical thickness. Patients underwent neuropsychological tests, including those for assessment of visuospatial perception and cognitive functions. We found certain retinal regions and areas of visual cortex with significant changes in PD patients on different stages. Our findings allowed us to speculate on the role of changes in the peripheral and central structures of the visual sensory system in the pathophysiology of visuospatial impairments in PD.