This study (ANxiety with or without depressive features in Parkinson’s Disease ‘AND-PD’) is an observational and imaging study where people at different stages of Parkinson’s will be assessed and followed for one year.
This study, led by Professor Anette Schrag, is looking to recruit around 200 participants:
- 150 with Parkinson’s (at least 50 of whom will have significant anxiety).
- 50 age-matched controls without Parkinson’s (25 with anxiety).
Note: 50 participants from the total sample will also have an optional MRI scan.
Background:
- Approximately 40% of people with Parkinson’s experience significant anxiety.
- Little is known about how anxiety develops in Parkinson’s, and why some people with Parkinson’s are more prone to anxiety than others.
- Anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s have been reported to cause greater functional impairment and lower quality of life, but it is poorly understood at present.
- There is currently little information on effective treatments for anxiety in Parkinson’s.
AND-PD is a research group that explores how and where anxiety with or without depressive symptoms originates in patients with Parkinson’s, and why some people with Parkinson’s are more prone to anxiety than others.
We are recruiting individuals with and without a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, who are fluent in English and between 18-89 years old. Individuals should be comfortable using a computer, or have a carer who can assist them, as most of the study will be done online. We cannot recruit you in the study if:
- You have a past or present psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder/mania, or alcohol/substance use disorder (outside a comorbid psychiatric episode)
- History of medical illness that may impair cognitive function (e.g., head injury, endocrine disorder)
- Atypical or symptomatic parkinsonian syndrome
The study involves three online visits over one year. There is an optional brain scan (MRI) that takes place at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging. If you have not had an MRI before, this video explains how it works :
For the online visits, there is a mixture of motor and cognitive assessments, and questions regarding any anxiety or depression you experience. These last around one to two hours. There are also some questionnaires and computer tasks that you can complete after the online visit.
If you are interested to take part or would like to find out more information, please get in contact with the team.
