Depression untreated in Parkinson's

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 10 (UPI) -- Depression appears to be common in early Parkinson's disease, but it is often not treated or diagnosed, according to a U.S. and Canadian study.

Dr. Bernard Ravina of the University of Rochester and Dr. Richard Camicioli of the University of Alberta found that about 27 percent of Parkinson's disease subjects screened positive for depression, while 40 percent of subjects' depression went untreated, according to the study published in the journal Neurology.

"Our results show that depression in Parkinson's disease appears to be under diagnosed, especially at the early stages of Parkinson's disease," Camicioli said in a statement.

"That may be because symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and insomnia, may be attributed to Parkinson's disease rather than as symptoms of depression."

Depression was also found to be associated with impairment of daily life activities, such as eating, bathing and dressing, the study said.

Over time it appears that depression does not actually influence the progression of motor signs but increases the disability associated with a given level of observational motor signs of PD, according to Camicioli.