In this study, we aim to assess and examine cognitive functions in Parkinson’s Disease patients using EEG recordings, with a central focus on characteristics associated with a cognitive decline. Based on neuropsychological evaluation using Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III, 98 participants were divided into three cognitive groups. All the particpants of the study underwent EEG recordings with spectral analysis. The results revealed an increase in the absolute theta power in patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PD-D) compared to cognitively normal status (PD-CogN, $p=0.00997$) and a decrease in global relative beta power in PD-D compared to PD-CogN ($p=0.0413$). An increase in theta relative power in the left temporal region ($p=0.0262$), left occipital region ($p=0.0109$), and right occipital region ($p=0.0221$) were observed in PD-D compared to PD-N. The global alpha/theta ratio and global power spectral ratio significantly decreased in PD-D compared to PD-N (p = 0.001). In conclusion, the increase in relative theta power and the decrease in relative beta power are characteristic changes in EEG recordings in PD patients with cognitive impairment. Identifying these changes can be a useful biomarker and a complementary tool in the neuropsychological diagnosis of cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s Disease.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common and disabling manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), yet it remains underdiagnosed in clinical settings. This study aims to identify the volumetric MRI markers of CI in MS patients. A total of 79 MS patients were enrolled; after exclusions, 63 with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 7 with primary progressive MS were analyzed. All participants underwent neuropsychological testing (CVLT, BVRT, CTT, VFT, VST, and SDMT). Brain volumes were analyzed using FreeSurfer. In RRMS, 59% had CI (35% single-domain, 24% multidomain). Multidomain CI was linked to reduced left cerebellar white matter and bilateral pallidum volumes, slight choroid plexus enlargement, and higher lesion volume versus cognitively preserved patients. Significant correlations were found between brain volumes and cognitive test scores: cerebellar and cerebral white matter, corpus callosum, subcortical gray matter, and thalamus volumes correlated positively with measures of processing speed, memory, and verbal fluency, while higher lesion load and larger choroid plexus volumes were associated with poorer cognitive performance. CI in MS is linked to both global and regional brain atrophy, as well as lesion load. Volumetric MRI, including choroid plexus analysis, may represent candidate imaging correlates of CI; however, longitudinal and externally validated studies are needed to confirm their predictive value and clinical utility.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study explores qEEG patterns associated with distinct cognitive domains to evaluate the potential of qEEG analysis. The study included 64 idiopathic PD patients, divided into three groups based on their performance in five cognitive domains. Functional connectivity of the brain network was evaluated by calculating the coherence from the resting state EEG. We identified early CI markers in verbal fluency, visuospatial, and memory domains. Key findings could be considered indicative of the frontal lobe impairment, disruption in fronto-occipital fasciculi and reduced posterior functional connectivity in high frequency bands. The identified biomarkers of individual cognitive domains impairment may contribute to the development of new diagnostic algorithms to enhance neuropsychological assessment, facilitate early identification of cognitive profiles in PD and estimate the risk of CI progression.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system involving both inflammatory and neurodegenerative mechanisms leading to progressive neuronal loss. Growing evidence indicates that neurodegeneration plays a key role in long-term disability progression and contributes to cognitive decline, affecting up to 70% of individuals with MS. To compare resting-state EEG microstates between patients with MS (PwMS) and healthy controls (HC), as well as across cognitive status subgroups within the PwMS cohort, taking into account lesion load, cognitive performance, and clinical features. Data from 55 PwMS and 42 HC were analyzed. Features resulting from microstates analysis, brain lesion segmentation, and clinical evaluation were associated with the occurrence of the disease and cognitive state using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Microstates analysis revealed altered microstate D topography between PwMS and HC, and among PwMS cognitive subgroups. Microstate B differentiated the PwMS group from HC, with its dynamics linked to higher lesion load, reflecting greater disease severity. Correlation analysis revealed an association between microstate A, lesion load, and California Verbal Learning Test, whereas the relationship between microstate C and Benton Visual Retention Test was unrelated to lesion volume. Integrating structural and functional measures may offer a more comprehensive understanding of MS-related neurodegeneration. Microstate D appears to be a potential marker of cognitive control network dysfunction and MS-related cognitive decline. Temporal dynamics of microstate B may indicate adaptive brain network reorganization, whereas microstate C might provide an additional marker of cognitive impairment in PwMS.

Background: While disease-modifying therapies reduce inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), long-term disability progression remains insufficiently controlled. Increasing evidence points to modifiable environmental and lifestyle factors—such as smoking, sun exposure, comorbidities, and obesity—as contributors to neurodegeneration and progression independent of relapse activity. Objective: To evaluate the associations between smoking, comorbid conditions, sun exposure, and obesity on clinical and radiological progression in patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) over a 48-month observational period. Methods: We performed a retrospective secondary analysis of a previously described longitudinal cohort of 132 patients with RRMS who were monitored over four years with serial assessments of EDSS, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inflammatory activity as gadolinium-enhancing lesions (GELs), new or enlarged T2-weighted lesions, serum 25(OH)D levels, and linear brain atrophy metrics. Sun exposure, smoking status, obesity, and comorbidity burden were recorded at each time point. Results: Low sun exposure was associated with higher EDSS trajectories and lower serum 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.01). Smoking was associated with a higher probability of GELs (p < 0.05), while comorbidities were associated with relapse occurrence and GELs. Obesity was associated with vitamin D insufficiency but not clearly with clinical relapse activity, GELs, or EDSS trajectories. MRI-based indices confirmed increasing brain atrophy during follow-up, particularly in patients with multiple risk factors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that selected modifiable lifestyle and clinical factors are associated with distinct clinical and radiological outcomes in RRMS. Integrating sun-safe outdoor activity, smoking cessation, comorbidity management, and weight control into MS care may support comprehensive risk management alongside pharmacological therapy.