Related Experiment Videos
Mood changes and "on-off" phenomena in Parkinson's disease
M A Menza1, J Sage, E Marshall
1Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903-0019.
Summary
Mood changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients correlate with motor fluctuations. While some patients experience mood improvement with medication, others show worsening mood, especially with dyskinesia, suggesting diverse causes for depression in PD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor fluctuations.
- Mood changes, including depression, are common in PD and may be linked to dopaminergic system alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between mood states and motor fluctuations in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
- To explore the impact of medication "on" states and dyskinesia on patient mood.
Main Methods:
- Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations were assessed.
- Mood changes were evaluated during "off," "on," and "on with dyskinesia" periods using the Profile of Mood States and visual analogue scales.
Main Results:
- Mood and anxiety levels significantly paralleled motor fluctuations.
- Most patients reported improved mood from "off" to "on" states, but worsening mood during "on with dyskinesia."
- One patient showed consistent mood improvement across all motor states, potentially linked to dopaminergic changes.
Conclusions:
- Mood alterations in Parkinson's disease are complex and may have multiple etiologies.
- The "on-off" phenomena in PD offer a valuable model for studying dopamine's effect on mood.
- Dyskinesia appears to negatively impact mood in most Parkinson's disease patients.