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Depression 'more common' in early Parkinson's | Depression 'more common' in early Parkinson's |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Depression and anxiety are twice as common in people newly-diagnosed with Parkinson's disease compared with the general population, research suggests. | |
Writing in the journal Neurology, US researchers say depression increases in frequency in Parkinson's patients and is often left untreated. | Writing in the journal Neurology, US researchers say depression increases in frequency in Parkinson's patients and is often left untreated. |
Previous research suggests that the disease's impact on the brain can be a trigger for depression. | Previous research suggests that the disease's impact on the brain can be a trigger for depression. |
Parkinson's UK said depression could be due to a number of causes. | Parkinson's UK said depression could be due to a number of causes. |
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine examined 423 newly-diagnosed Parkinson's patients and tracked their mental health over two years. | |
At the outset, 14% of patients with Parkinson's disease were found to have depression, compared with 6.6% of a group of healthy volunteers. | |
During the follow-up, there was a small rise in the frequency and severity of depression in the group with Parkinson's, while in the control group a decrease was noted. | During the follow-up, there was a small rise in the frequency and severity of depression in the group with Parkinson's, while in the control group a decrease was noted. |
At the start of the study, 16% of patients with Parkinson's were taking an anti-depressant, and this increased significantly to 25% two years later. | At the start of the study, 16% of patients with Parkinson's were taking an anti-depressant, and this increased significantly to 25% two years later. |
But 65-72% of patients who screened positive for depression were still not being treated with medication, the study said. | But 65-72% of patients who screened positive for depression were still not being treated with medication, the study said. |
Brain pathways and mood | Brain pathways and mood |
Dr Daniel Weintraub, associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said depression in Parkinson's disease was under-recognised. | Dr Daniel Weintraub, associate professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said depression in Parkinson's disease was under-recognised. |
"There are psychological reasons why people who have been diagnosed with a neuro-degenerative disease like Parkinson's can become depressed, but their brain pathways are also affected by the disease and these are closely associated with mood." | "There are psychological reasons why people who have been diagnosed with a neuro-degenerative disease like Parkinson's can become depressed, but their brain pathways are also affected by the disease and these are closely associated with mood." |
Prof David Burn, from the University of Newcastle, who is funded by Parkinson's UK, said depression can be a sign of Parkinson's. | Prof David Burn, from the University of Newcastle, who is funded by Parkinson's UK, said depression can be a sign of Parkinson's. |
"It is well-recognised that people do get depression and anxiety up to 10 years before they develop Parkinson's disease. | "It is well-recognised that people do get depression and anxiety up to 10 years before they develop Parkinson's disease. |
"People recognise the tremor and movement problems of Parkinson's, but the disease actually starts in the brain, affecting certain chemicals. | "People recognise the tremor and movement problems of Parkinson's, but the disease actually starts in the brain, affecting certain chemicals. |
"This can cause sleep problems initially and can also lead to minor forms of depression." | "This can cause sleep problems initially and can also lead to minor forms of depression." |
Depression can also be a side effect of Parkinson's drugs. | Depression can also be a side effect of Parkinson's drugs. |
Because of the range of possible causes, Parkinson's UK says it is important that patients speak to their healthcare professional if they are worried about their symptoms. | Because of the range of possible causes, Parkinson's UK says it is important that patients speak to their healthcare professional if they are worried about their symptoms. |
After Robin Williams died in an apparent suicide last week, it emerged the actor - who had depression - was in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. |
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