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Depression type in Parkinson disease
1Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Depression is common in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients, affecting 70% without prior psychiatric diagnoses. This study suggests PD-related depression is a reaction to the illness, not an inherent symptom.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- Parkinson Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- Depression is a frequent comorbidity in PD patients.
- The relationship between PD and depression requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of depression in Parkinson Disease patients.
- To determine if depression in PD is related to disease stage, cognitive function, or demographic factors.
- To differentiate between reactive depression and depression as an integral part of PD.
Main Methods:
- Neurological and neuropsychological evaluations were performed on 33 Parkinson Disease patients.
- Patients were assessed for depression, dementia, cognitive function, and disease severity.
- Statistical analyses were used to identify correlations between depression and various clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Seventy percent of patients, without a prior psychiatric diagnosis, presented with depression.
- Depression was not significantly correlated with dementia, disease stage, memory, attention, years of Parkinsonism, age, or frontal cortex function.
- These findings indicate depression is not directly linked to disease progression or specific cognitive deficits.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of depression in Parkinson Disease suggests a reactive component.
- Depression in PD appears to be a response to the disease itself, rather than an intrinsic symptom.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying reactive depression in Parkinson Disease.