Relationship between visuospatial impairment and oculomotor parameters in Parkinson's disease

Visuospatial functions and oculomotor parameters were studied in a sample of 96 patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Visuospatial deficits correlated with both motor impairment and severity of illness, as well as with oculomotor ai abnormalities. Partial correlations were performed to determine whether visuospatial impairment was secondary to oculomotor disorders. After controlling for gaze pursuit variables and saccades, Block Design (WAIS) and Line Orientation Test maintained their correlations with motor impairment and severity of illness. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that visuospatial deficits cannot be explained through oculomotor abnormalities in PD patients, pointing to a simultaneous expression of striatum dysfunction.