Communication impairment in Parkinson's disease: Impact of motor and cognitive symptoms on speech and language

In this review, we will discuss the roles of motor speech changes, cognitive and linguistic impairment, and other related functions in the communication disabilities of individuals with PD. We will describe the various types of communication difficulties in PD and tools for measuring these symptoms. We will discuss specific deficits that may further understanding of the neurobiology of communication impairment in PD, including voice and speech acoustic changes, linguistic processing and production difficulties, and pausing. We will emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the patient perspective on daily communication in guiding future research.