Anxiety May Double the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease in Older Adults

New Delhi: A recent study published in the British Journal of General Practice has found that people aged 50 and above who experience anxiety are at twice the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to their calmer peers. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally, and it is projected to affect 14.2 million people by 2040, largely due to increased life expectancy.

The study highlighted that individuals with anxiety are more likely to experience depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, cognitive issues, low blood pressure, tremors, stiffness, balance problems, and constipation, all of which are risk factors for Parkinson’s disease. Neurologists in Delhi believe that these findings can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, they also stress that anxiety is just one of many factors involved in the complex nature of Parkinson’s disease. More research is needed to fully understand this neurodegenerative disorder.

Dr. Jaideep Bansal, senior director and head of neurology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, stated, “This study encourages healthcare professionals to pay more attention to anxiety symptoms in elderly patients and include them in a thorough diagnostic process.” He added that by addressing anxiety early, the overall well-being of at-risk individuals can be improved.

Research indicates that anxiety can appear before motor symptoms and that people with Parkinson’s generally experience higher levels of anxiety. Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, vice chairman and head of neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, explained that one theory suggests Parkinson’s may affect the brain’s fear circuitry and be linked to cognitive changes that occur before other symptoms become noticeable.

Dr. PN Renjen, senior neurology consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, noted that chronic anxiety can lead to increased levels of stress hormones like cortisol. High cortisol levels can damage dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. This damage can disrupt the brain’s motor control systems, leading to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.

Additionally, anxiety can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain, all of which contribute to the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Biplab Das, director and senior consultant of neurology at Narayana Hospital, Gurgaon, mentioned that anxiety in Parkinson’s patients can manifest as generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or social anxiety, often without a clear external cause and persisting over a long period.

Prof. Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department at AIIMS, pointed out that while anxiety is common, it can become a risk factor for certain conditions when it is persistent and uncontrollable. She emphasized that not all anxious patients will develop Parkinson’s disease.

Fortunately, anxiety can be managed through both medication and non-medication approaches. Lifestyle changes, exercise, yoga, therapy, and prescribed medications can help reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.