Archives ofClinicd Neuropsychology. Vol. 6, pa. 3W32.5, 1991 1X87-6177/91$3.00 + .OO Printed in the USA. All rights resend. Copy+a (i3 1991 National Academy of Nemcpychdogy zyxwvutsrqp Me a suring C o g nitive Pro c e sse s in Pa tie nts With Parkinson’s Dise a se Mario Fioravanti, Raymond W. Kulhavy, Franc0 Di Cesare and Linda C. Caterino zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX Unive rsity o f Ro m e , Italy William A. Stock A rizo na Sta te Unive rsity zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW Parkinsonians and control subjects completed a series of cognitive tasks which measured primed semantic retrieval, conceptual organization, and conjoint reten- tion. Direct measures of cognitive processing failed to yield the wide range intel- lectual deficit patterns that have been found with parkinsonians. Controversy surrounds the question of whether or not patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) exhibit symptoms of dementia, including various cognitive and intellectual impairments. Estimates of dementia have ranged as high as 81% for the PD population (e.g., Martin, Loewenson, Resch, & Baker, 1973), and the types of specific deficits appear similar to those exhibited in other neurologi- tally impaired groups (Pillon, Dubois, Lhermitte, & Agid, 1986). Gn the other hand, there are studies in which the occurrence of dementia appears to be much lower (e.g., Marttila & Rinne, 1976), suggesting some confusion regarding the prevalence of deficit symptoms. In the majority of studies the measures of “cognitive” performance are based on easily obtainable standardized tests, many of which were originally developed to assess intellectual ability rather than the current functioning of the cognitive processing system. Given the vast This research was conducted while the second author (R.W.K.) held a Fulbright-Hayes Research Fellowship in cognitive science at the University of Rome, Italy, and was on sabbatical leave from Arizona State University. Requests for reprints should be sent to Raymond W. Kulhavy, 322 Payne Hall, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 852874611. 319