Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are seeking people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) to help them better understand how mood-- particularly depression-- affects their symptoms. The study will investigate the way depression impacts on the thinking processes of those with PD, and look at how this mood disorder can be treated.

Research psychologist Anthoula Lioni said: " Depression is very common in people with PD and we believe that their problems with elaborate thinking processes -- for example, how the brain processes abstract thought and controls inappropriate actions--may be due to major depression.

"Previous research has shown that PD patients with major depression show significant decline in their thinking processes after a one-year period, compared with PD patients with minor, or no depression. If we can identify and treat depression, it may prevent or delay the appearance of these thinking process symptoms.

The team, based at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Edinburgh, seeks 20 people over the age of 45, fluent in English, to take part in the study. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire and carry out a short ability test. Information given to researchers will be kept confidential and only used for research purposes. Those interested in finding out more should contact Anthoula Lioni on 44-131-537-6282 or 44-131-662-1692, or email a.lioni@sms.ed.ac.uk

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Contact: Linda Menzies
Linda.Menzies@ed.ac.uk
44-131-650-6382
University of Edinburgh
22-Nov-2004

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