Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects many aspects of those afflicted. In so many cases patients with PD will show signs of depression, most noted they may be apathetic. Apathy is defined as absence of interest in one's environment, indifference.
For many families, apathy may signal concern about depression, which can be common after diagnosis with PD. However, results of a new study published in the journal Neurology suggest that apathy may be its own sign, a hallmark symptom for patients with PD.
In the study more than 80 patients with PD were assessed for symptoms of depression and apathy. Then they were compared to 20 patients with dystonia, a disease that effects muscle control. The researchers wanted to determine if the apathy observed in PD was part of depression, or a core symptom due to the effect of PD on the brain itself.
PD patients had a much higher rate of apathy compared to patients with dystonia, 51% compared to 20%. Even more interesting, PD patients often had apathy without other signs of depression, whereas apathy was not distinguished from depression in any of the dystonia patients.
This study brings to light an important observation for both clinicians and families. PD is a neurological disorder that affects many functions of an individual. Based on the results of this study, apathy is a common symptoms of PD, but may not need to be treated. Whereas depression may be observed in patients with PD, but is not directly related to the disease process.
Often in families who are left caring for PD patients, apathy can become quite a burden. Caregivers may have to ask numerous times about preferences, or need to prod to get any emotion or interest from their once vibrant loved one. Many times this may prompt a visit to the clinician, who may or may not suggest medication for underlying depression.
It cannot be undervalued to investigate if depression is truely an issue, or if the patient is exhibiting typical symptoms of their disease. Apathy can be treated with certain medications, but is that really helping the patient?
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on June 30, 2006 08:30 PM
