People with anxiety have double the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease Certain Parkinson’s symptoms that appear in middle-aged people with anxiety seem to foreshadow the disorder This means anxiety could be an early indicator of Parkinson’s WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Anxiety could be an early warning sign of Parkinson's disease, a new study finds. People with anxiety have at least double the risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to those without the mood disorder, results show. Further, specific Parkinson’s symptoms serve as warning signs of the disorder in people with anxiety, researchers found.
“By understanding that anxiety and the mentioned [symptoms] are linked to a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease over the age of 50, we hope that we may be able to detect the condition earlier and help patients get the treatment they need,” said co-lead researcher Dr. Juan Bazo Avarez , a senior research fellow with University College London Epidemiology & Health. Parkinson’s disease causes problems with movement, including shaking, stiffness and problems with balance and coordination, according to the National Institute on Aging.
The disease occurs due to the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical that is important to motor control. Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest growing neurodegenerative disorder, researchers said. It currently affects nearly 10 million people around the world.
For the new study.
