Neuropsychiatric non-motor aspects of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease is often recognised as a motor disease characterised by rest tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural disturbances. However, there are several non-motor aspects of the disease that are of at least equal importance in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease. They include depression, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and psychosis among others. It is important to recognise them, as they are common and they contribute significantly to patients' morbidity, quality of life, and institutionalisation to long term care homes. In addition to the disease duration and severity, other factors including drugs may contribute to their occurrence. Pathogenesis of these aspects is not fully understood, though there has been a significant increase in the knowledge in recent years. Management of these aspects involves a multidisciplinary approach.