Depression in multiple system atrophy and in idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a pilot comparative study

Biol Psychiatry. 1996 May 1;39(9):803-7. doi: 10.1016/0006-3223(95)00232-4.

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a disease causing parkinsonism in which response to levodopa is classically absent, poor, or transient. Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) itself, which responds favorably to levodopa, has been associated with the development of disease-related depression. Over and above the clinical and pathological characteristics of IPD, MSA causes additional, more widespread, clinical and pathological deficits. We have compared motor disability and mood in 12 patients with MSA and 12 with IPD. There was more severe motor disability, but no clinical evidence of depression among the MSA patients studied, and their Beck Depression Inventory scores did not differ significantly from the group with IPD. We conclude that depression does not appear to be more common in MSA than in IPD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / psychology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / diagnosis*
  • Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / physiopathology
  • Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies / psychology
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Personality Assessment
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pyramidal Tracts / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology