University seeks recruits for Parkinson's Disease study

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.lionisms.ed.ac.uk


Contact: Linda Menzies

Linda.Menziesed.ac.uk

44-131-650-6382

University of Edinburgh