title: Dopaminergic modulation of memory and affective processing in Parkinson depression.
abstract: Depression is common in Parkinson's disease and is associated with cognitive impairment. Dopaminergic medications are effective in treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease; however, little is known regarding the effects of dopaminergic pharmacotherapy on cognitive function in depressed Parkinson patients. This study examines the neuropsychological effects of dopaminergic pharmacotherapy in Parkinsonian depression. We compared cognitive function in depressed and non-depressed Parkinson patients at two time-points: following overnight withdrawal and after the usual morning regimen of dopaminergic medications. A total of 28 non-demented, right-handed patients with mild to moderate idiopathic Parkinson's disease participated. Ten of these patients were depressed according to DSM IV criteria. Results revealed a statistically significant interaction between depression and medication status on three measures of verbal memory and a facial affect naming task. In all cases, depressed Parkinson's patients performed significantly more poorly while on dopaminergic medication than while off. The opposite pattern emerged for the non-depressed Parkinson's group. The administration of dopaminergic medication to depressed Parkinson patients may carry unintended risks.
authors.affiliation: Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 800 S. Limestone St., Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. Electronic address: lxblond@email.uky.edu.
authors.forename: Lee X
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Blonder
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Slevin
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kryscio
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Anders H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents
keywords: Cognition; Dopamine; Emotion; Mood; Parkinson