/- Depression is also a common problem for patients with Parkinson's
disease and researchers are conducting a national trial to help
treat it.
Three years ago, Dale Ankenman was diagnosed with Parkinson's
disease, a neurological disorder which can slow down movement. But
he and his wife Barbara are still able to ride a tandem bike at
least three days a week.

"We have grown to love it. It's just great, great mode of
recreation," he said.

Beyond recreation, however, the biking may also help Ankenman combat
a common symptoms of Parkinson's, depression.

The condition is so debilitating in patients with the disease,
researchers say it appears to alter both the symptoms of Parkinson's
and how it progresses:

Researcher Dr. Kim Seroogy, said, "There are two schools of thought,
one that Parkinson's predisposes for depression; the other school of
thought is that depression actually pre-isposes for Parkinson's
disease."

Researchers say it's important to study this connection, because
those with Parkinson's have a higher rate of depression than those
in the general population, and a higher rate of depression compared
to other chronic diseases.

"So, for example, it's much higher than in ALS or Multiple
Sclerosis, so there's something about Parkinson's which is perhaps
connected to depression," Seroogy said.

Seroogy's team is now conducting a breakthrough trial to find ways
to intervene.

He said it could help patients like Ankenman keep racing strong as
researchers continue the race for a cure.

This trial won't be completed for at least a few years.


11/07(13WHAM.com)