Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most frequent age-related neurodegenerative disorder. It is mainly characterized by progressive dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra, which clinically results in the motor cardinal symptoms rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia. As other brain structures (e.g. brainstem, dorsal nucleus of vagus, locus coeruleus, limbic and cortical areas) are involved as well there are a variety of non-motor signs such as psychiatric disorders (mood disorders, drive reduction), cognitive abnormalities (e.g. dementia) and sensory symptoms (e.g. olfactory dysfunction).

Moreover, impaired facial emotion identification has been reported especially for the five negative basic emotions fear, sadness, anger, disgust and surprise but results are quite heterogeneous. In this context, gender is believed to be a major moderator variable, however, data are very limited.
Aim of the this project is to identify gender specific differences in emotion perception and recognition in patients with PD and healthy controls.

A detailed clinical and neuropsychological test battery, endocrine-hormonal investigations (e.g. status of the hormones estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol) and genetic testing (e.g. for variation in the promotor region of the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR) are applied. To analyze neuronal correlates during the perception and recognition of emotional stimuli anatomical images and task and event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging are acquired. During scanning subjects are presented video-sequences of trained actors performing emotional facial expressions. Subjects are supposed to rate these stimuli via finger tapping.

Aside from gender specific differences in emotion perception and recognition possible correlations of emotion identification abilities and variables like disease duration, medication, type and characteristics of motor, non-motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms will be analyzed.