Neuroimaging Studies of Depression in Parkinson's Disease

Lee Blonder

Status: Completed

Conditions: Parkinson's Disease

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00518258

R01-MH78228-2

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to investigate similarities and differences in the neural pathways of depressed Parkinson's patients, non-depressed Parkinson's patients, and healthy controls using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and neuropsychological assessment.

Full description

Depression is a common and potentially serious complication of Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies show that approximately 40 percent of PD patients are depressed. There is evidence that these patients have deficits in neuropsychological function relative to non-depressed PD patients. Despite the widespread toll on emotional health posed by PD, few studies have undertaken a comprehensive examination of the neural underpinnings of Parkinsonian depression. In this project, we will compare depressed versus non-depressed Parkinson patients to a sample of demographically-matched healthy controls using neuropsychological assessment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To investigate possible effects of anti-Parkinsonian medication on mood, cognitive function, and neural response, PD patients will be tested both off and on Parkinsonian medications.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• right-handed
• willing/able to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Exclusion criteria

• history of neurological condition other than Parkinson's disease
• history of psychiatric condition other than depression
• history of substance abuse/dependence

Trial design

120 participants in 2 patient groups

1

Description:

Patient Group

2

Description:

Control Group