Parkinson’s disease impacts many seniors in their later years, although some people are diagnosed with the disease when they are younger, such as actor Michael J. Fox. This week, as 3,000 experts in neurology gathered for the annual European Neurological Society (ENS) meeting in Barcelona, Dr. Heinz Reichmann shared study results involving 1,331 German Parkinson’s disease patients.
The Neurology Study Found:
- 15% of Parkson’s pateints suffer collaterally from dementia
- 11% suffer from both dementia and depression
- 9% suffer from dementia and psychosis
- 40% to 50% suffer from depression
Nearly all Parkinson’s sufferers are affected by dementia if they live long enough. Research reveals that cognitive decline and depression often worsen the quality of life more than the movement disorder itself and may inhibit the positive results of other therapies.
Depression is mainly caused by the dismantling of those systems which release the monoamine neurotransmitters and the malfunctioning of the frontal lobe and the cerebral cortex.
Motor impairments in Parkinson’s are often associated with an incorrect concentration of dopamine in the blood plasma.
The neurology doctors are continuing to explore and research effective treatments which include psychosocial support, behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, drug therapy as well as electroconvulsive therapy.
Senior caregivers assisting seniors with Parkinson’s disease may consider continued caregiver training to keep up with the age-related illnesses.
The European Societies for Neurology also announced a merger this week during the Barcelona meeting. Going forward the European Neurological Society and the European Federation of Neurological Societies are merging to be called the European Academy of Neurology.
