The Influence of GBA and LRRK2 on Mood Disorders in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND

Mood disorders have emerged as major non-motor comorbidities in Parkinson's disease (PD) even at the prodromal stage of the disease. Mutations in the and genes are common among Ashkenazi Jews, with more severe phenotype reported for -PD.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between genetic status and mood related disorders before and after diagnosis of PD and the association between mood-related medications, phenotype, and genetic status.

METHODS

Participants were genotyped for mutations in the LRRK2 and GBA genes. State of depression, anxiety and non-motor features were evaluated using validated questionnaires. History of mood disorders prior to diagnosis of PD and use of mood-related medications were assessed.

RESULTS

The study included 105 idiopathic PD (iPD), 55 -PD and 94 -PD. Scores on mood related questionnaires and frequency of depression and anxiety before diagnosis were similar between the groups (>0.05). However, more -PD patients used mood related medications before PD diagnosis than -PD and iPD (16.5% vs 7.1% and 8.2%, =0.044). -PD and -PD receiving mood-related medications at time of assessment had worse motor and non-motor phenotype compared to those that did not (<0.05). -PD receiving mood related-medications at time of assessment, scored higher on mood-related questionnaires compared to -PD not receiving such medications (<0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Prodromal -PD are more frequently treated with mood related-medications despite equal rates of reported mood-related disorders, while -PD with mood-related disorders experience high rates of anxiety and depression despite treatment, attesting to the need of more precise assessment and treatment of these genetic subgroups.