Category Archives: Parkinson’s

Brain Support Network volunteer Denise Dagan came across this article in a recent Parkinson’s Disease (PD) organization’s newsletter about apathy in PD.  Certainly apathy occurs in many of the disorders in the Brain Support Network community as well — especially progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).  That’s why I’m sharing the article within our network.

These statements in the article caught Denise’s eye:

“Persons with apathy generally do not recognize the symptoms, so caregivers will need to bring it to medical attention. … It is important to assess for apathy because those with apathy are 2.5 times more likely to report poor quality of life in comparison to those without apathy. Apathy is also associated with more severe motor impairment. PD patients with apathy are less physically active and may not adhere to medical recommendations. Relationships may suffer as well since caregivers often experience more frustration and stress.”

The author of the article is Rosa Chuang, MD.  She may be familiar to some in our multiple system atrophy (MSA) group.  She used to practice at Stanford but is now in Seattle.

The article is copied below.

Robin

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www.apdaparkinson.org/community/northwest/about/newsletters/

Apathy in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Pathfinder (Newsletter by APDA Northwest)
Summer 2017
By Dr. Rosalind Chuang

Apathy is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease but often times not recognized or commonly mistaken for depression. Some studies show that 30-40% of PD patients have apathy, but the frequency can range from 20-70%, depending on how patients are asked. It can occur at any stage of PD and can even occur before motor symptoms develop. It is important to assess for apathy because those with apathy are 2.5 times more likely to report poor quality of life in comparison to those without apathy. Apathy is also associated with more severe motor impairment. PD patients with apathy are less physically active and may not adhere to medical recommendations. Relationships may suffer as well since caregivers often experience more frustration and stress.

WHAT IS APATHY?

Apathy is defined as:
• Loss of motivation or lack of initiative
• Loss of pleasure
• Decreased goal directed behaviors
• Decreased goal directed cognitive activity
• Decreased interests and emotions (reduced display of emotions)

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT APATHY

A common complaint from family and friends is that the PD patient just “sits around” or “doesn’t seem to care about anything.” Nothing gets done and a person often declines social activities if given a choice. This can be misinterpreted as fatigue, laziness, or lack of empathy/ uncaring.

Persons with apathy generally do not recognize the symptoms, so caregivers will need to bring it to medical attention. Medical providers may ask specific questions from the Starkstein apathy scale to determine apathy. Some questions on the scale include:

• Any interest in learning new things?
• Does anything interest you?
• Do you look for things to do?
• Are you concerned about your condition? Or unconcerned about many things?
• Does someone have to tell you what to do each day? Do you need a push to get started on things?
• Are you neither happy nor sad, just in between?

As you can see, these questions are similar to those to assess for depression, so sometimes it can be difficult to separate apathy from depression. Often times, patients can have both depression and apathy, but in ~10- 28% of time, patients can have apathy alone.

WHY IS IT NOT DEPRESSION?

In both depression and apathy, a person may no longer enjoy things. However, someone with depression may endorse feeling “blue” or sad. Other “negative” symptoms of depression include inappropriate guilt, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, or thoughts of death. An apathetic person does not cry frequently or have suicidal thoughts.

TREATMENT

It is important to evaluate if the symptoms are from apathy alone because it can affect treatment. If apathy is associated with depression or anxiety, treatment of co-morbid conditions can help reduce apathy. Sometimes isolated apathy can also respond to the SSRIs used to treat depression, but generally studies don’t show good response. Dopamine medications (levodopa or dopamine agonists) may also improve apathy. (In some patient who have undergone deep brain stimulation for PD, rapid withdrawal of their PD medications resulted in apathy.) In one trial, PD apathy responded to rivastigmine, a medication used for dementia, even though the patients did not actually have dementia.

For isolated apathy, I generally recommend non-pharmacologic treatment. These include:

• Write down at least 3 daily goals and 3 weekly goals. These goals can be physical, social, or thinking activities.
• Daily goals should be specific and can be reasonably achieved.
• Create a schedule: be specific when each task will should be accomplished.
• Review the written list at breakfast, lunch and dinner to remind yourself of the next goal.
• Cross off each task as you complete them.
• Say “yes” to at least one thing every day even if you don’t feel like it.
• Maintain routine: continue to do things you used to do, even if you don’t feel like it.
• Recall an activity that you used to enjoy and try to restart that activity.
• Exercise even if you don’t feel like it.
• Must leave the house at least once a day

Even though apathy is not as easily treated as the motor symptoms of PD or other non-motor symptoms such as depression, simply recognizing and understanding apathy is an important part of overall management of Parkinson’s disease.

Here’s a list of guest speakers at many Northern California and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support group meetings for July 2017.

With my Brain Support Network atypical parkinsonism (DLB, PSP, MSA, CBD) hat on, these meetings are especially appealing to me (because of the guest speakers or topics) BUT remember that these are PD support group meetings:

* Lodi, Monday, 7/3: a neurologist is speaking on Parkinson’s and essential tremor. I know nothing about this neurologist but it seems to be a unique opportunity to hear a neurologist speak in Lodi.

* Soquel, Wednesday, 7/5: physical therapist addresses practical solutions to daily challenges

* Yuba City, Monday, 7/10: social worker talks about the importance of sleep for caregivers. Hopefully everyone in this area knows about the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center. If not, please attend the talk just to learn about their services.

* Bakersfield, Tuesday, 7/11: fitness instructor demonstrating exercises and yoga

* Turlock, Wednesday, 7/12: social worker describes coping skills for dealing with Parkinson’s (for both those with a diagnosis and caregivers). Certainly many of these coping skills will be applicable to those in Brain Support Network.

* Palo Alto/Avenidas, Wednesday, 7/12: a palliative care social worker and hospice nurse will be addressing palliative care and hospice at home for those with neurological disorders (not just Parkinson’s). Many in the Brain Support Network group apply for palliative care. Come learn about what this is!

* Walnut Creek, Saturday, 7/15: movement disorder specialist Salima Brillman, MD, will be talking about the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s. She is very familiar with the disorders in our group.

* Sacramento/Arden Arcade, Thursday, 7/20: an excellent physical therapist addresses physical therapy for PD. She may be familiar with the disorders in our group.

Generally, I recommend driving no more than 30 minutes to attend any of these meetings. If you attend a meeting and learn anything, please share with me so that I can share with others!

Do you need to know the support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and how to RSVP if required? Please refer to the Stanford Parkinson’s website for all Northern and Central California support groups:

parkinsons.stanford.edu/support_groups.html

As always, I’ve deleted the deep brain stimulation-related talks.

Robin
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Lodi
Monday, 7/3, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Mohammad Kazmi, MD, neurologist, Lodi
Memorial Hospital, Lodi
Topic: Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor
RSVP?: No.

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 7/5, 1-2:30pm
Guest Speaker: Ruby Straehley, PT, physical therapist
Topic: Practical solutions to everyday challenges facing those with Parkinson’s
RSVP?: No.

Yuba City (Tri-Counties)
Monday, 7/10, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker: Dorene Fanning, LCSW, family consultant, Del Oro
Caregiver Resource Center
Topic: Insights into challenges and the importance of sleep for caregivers
RSVP?: No.

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 7/11, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker: Deb McCormack, Bakersfield Mind & Body Studio
Topic: Exercises and yoga for PD
RSVP?: Yes to group leaders Linda Feist, 661-304-9227, or Bill
Burgemaster, 661-343-2707

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 7/11, 3-4:30pm
Program: Discussion groups – people with Parkinson’s and care partners
RSVP?: No.

Davis – regular and caregivers groups together
Wednesday, 7/12, 12:45-2:15pm (special day/time for July)
Guest Speaker: Marg Bartosek
Topic: Experiential presentation of Feldenkrais awareness through movement
RSVP?: No.

Turlock
Wednesday, 7/12, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker: Nancy Neufled Silva, PhD, LCSW, counselor, Turlock
Topic: Coping skills in dealing with PD for patients and caregivers
RSVP?: No.

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 7/12, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speakers: Libby Hagman, RN, clinical outreach coordinator, and Anthony Lupian, MSW, Transitions program coordinator, Mission Hospice and Home Care, San Mateo
Topic: Palliative care, hospice at home, and hospice house for Parkinson’s – recommended services and what’s new
RSVP?: No.

Sonoma/Vintage House
Thursday, 7/13, 10-11am
Guest Speaker: Margot Schaal, certified Feldenkrais practitioner
Topic: Feldenkrais
RSVP?: No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 7/15, 9am-noon (speaker 10:45am-11:45am)
Guest Speaker: Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist, The
Parkinson’s Institute, Sunnyvale
Topic: Diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s
RSVP?: No.

Elk Grove
Wednesday, 7/19, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker: Christy Adams, RN, MPH, trauma prevention coordinator,
UC Davis
Topic: A matter of balance
RSVP?: No.

Merced
Thursday, 7/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Lisa Clawson, LVN, HealthSouth Rehabilitation, Modesto
Topic: Rehab services for PD
RSVP?: No.

Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 7/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker: Christine Shade, DPT, physical therapist, Kaiser Roseville
Topic: Physical therapy and outdoor exercises for PD
RSVP?: No.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 7/28, 1-3pm (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker: James Nevin, Sr., attorney
Topic: Estate planning and end of life issues
RSVP?: No.