Laura Marsh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in a recently published literature review writes, "... management of the disease is optimal when PD is viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder, because this encourages consideration of the motor deficits along with its psychiatric and cognitive aspects."    

                                                            from Current Psychiatric Reports, 2003, 5:68-76

Why Clognition?

Click here to see the PowerPoint presentation,

"Clognition: Hope, Action, & Advocacy,"

given at the 2003 PAN forum in Washington DC

Read the new issue of

"Clognition: the result of a combination of the common, though frequently denied and rarely studied, mental symptoms of Parkinson's Disease that include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and cognitive dysfunction." 

- The PD Lexicon

"Ahhh PD cognition - they should call it clognition."  ~ GMW  ~  05/05/02 MGH Forum, "The Swearing Thread" 

Everyone who has heard of Parkinson's Disease knows about the physical symptoms of PD, including tremors, generalized slowness of movement, stiffness of limbs, and gait or balance problems.

What is less well known about PD is that it is not the motor symptoms that tend to do the most harm to quality of life. Clognition coupled with stress is more often than not the culprit that precipitates job loss and family discord. 

There is not much information available about the effects of Clognition or strategies to cope.  Talking with other PWPs reveal the problems to be similar and ubiquitous, including unpaid bills due to lack of inattention, and habitual all night computer use.  Although the behavior is "normal" it is far from healthy.

The discovery that Clognition was normal for PD sufferers gave me the strength to take steps towards managing my life and alleviating stress.  It’s not easy, and I can’t do it alone.  Counseling sessions with a neuropsychologist plus conversations with PD compatriots give me strategies to maintain and the motivation to follow through.

Drug therapies are available as long as you take the time to find the right one.  PD is an extremely individualistic disease.  Loss of motor control, mental changes, drug treatments, surgical treatments, diet, exercise – the menu is long, the choices and combinations infinite. 

Young Onset PWPs present a new public health challenge: keeping healthy, active, and productive in order to raise families, go to work, survive for many years as medical science continues to make our bodies stronger so that we live longer. But our brains have to keep up with our bodies, and  clognition remains a huge but elusive challenge to leading full and healthy lives.  Education and "brain re-train" are necessary, along with more funding for research in this area.

Access to information is essential to good health and a well balanced life.  PD is tough to live with, balance is difficult to achieve. Information enables; education gives hope; advocacy increases strength; and knowledge is power.  Take control of your life!

PD is a tough disease to live with.  My words are brave; the reality of my life is much different. The struggle is daily; hope not always evident. I am working hard to find the right path. ~ Carey, 12/01/02

 send your links and ideas to Clognition.org

click here for the Flash version of "Shaking&Crazy"

Taking Control to Achieve Balance

“ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead, PhD,

WFMH President 1956-57

Mom! Get off the computer!  I'll be just one more minute.  Really.........