According to an article from Parkinson’s News Today, a recent analysis testing transcranial magnetic stimulation demonstrated that the procedure was not effective in treating the depression that is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. The assessment used data from nine different trials. Although it did not help with depression, there was some data to suggest that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was responsible for some improvements in motor function, however.
Parkinson’s disease is a long-term degenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms develop slowly and the condition primarily inhibits the mobility and movement of the affected person. Common symptoms include shaking, general stiffness, problems with walking, and slowness of movement. Depression and anxiety are common in people with Parkinson’s disease, and they may develop behavioral problems, difficulty with sleep, and dementia. The disease is thought to be caused by both environmental and genetic factors, though the details are generally not well understood. There is no cure, and treatment is generally focused on reducing the severity of symptoms and slowing their progression. To learn more about this disease, click here.
The researchers responsible for the study emphasize that more research will be needed, as the data involved a fairly small number of patients. About half of people with Parkinson’s disease experience depression. While depression may seem to be only a minor complication, it is in fact essential for the depression in Parkinson’s to be treated. The presence of depression has been directly connected to an increased progression of the disease. Common antidepressants such as selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed, but studies have shown them to have no effect in treating Parkinson’s associated depression. Additionally, the side effects can actually worsen mobility problems.
TMS has been used as an alternative treatment for depression and has been responsible for major improvement in some people, which was why researchers wanted to test it on Parkinson’s disease patients. When compared against SSRIs and a placebo, it still failed to produce any improvement in depression symptoms. The improved motor abilities were an unexpected benefit, however.
Once again, the researchers emphasized the need for more study, but the improvements in motor skill may mean that TMS could have a future in Parkinson’s treatment.
