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

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