Objective: To compare the presence of co-morbid depression in groups of PD Veterans, with and without psychosis.
Background: Depression and psychosis are important non motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. Co-existence of both conditions in military veterans with PD has not been fully described and has potential therapeutic implications.
Method: Medical records of 2340 sequential Veterans who receive care at the Houston Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center and had an ICD10 diagnostic code for Parkinson’s disease were reviewed. Subjects were selected if the documentation met UK brain bank criteria for the presence of PD. Presence or absence of psychosis was established by reviewing the non-motor symptom scale in the clinical note and confirmed with the treating movement disorders neurologist. First 139 subjects with PD and evidence of psychosis (Group A) were included and compared with 139 PD subjects without psychosis (Group B), in the same sequence. Presence or absence of depression was investigated using the diagnostic code for depression and the score of depression scales found in the medical records. This was additionally confirmed by reviewing the mental health notes and prescription of anti-depressant medications, wherever possible.
Demographic features (gender, age, ethnicity) of both groups (A&B) were also compared.
Results: Group A: (PD with psychosis) N= 139 (Men – 138, Woman -1), mean age 76.20 years, White (non-Hispanic) 63.31%, African American/Black, 20.86% Latino/Hispanic 15.83%.
Depression was documented for 89/139 (64%) and not for 50/140 (36%).
Group B: (PD without psychosis), N= 139 (Men – 136, Women -3), mean age 75.78 years, White (non-Hispanic) 67.63%, African American/Black, 24.46% Latino/Hispanic 7.91%.
Depression was documented for 74/139 (53%) and not for 65/139 (47%).
Conclusion: Co-morbid depression is more common in military Veterans with Parkinson’s disease with psychosis as compared to those without psychosis. This observation has therapeutic implications and requires further study.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Sarwar, P. Bigner. Depression and Psychosis in military Veterans with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/depression-and-psychosis-in-military-veterans-with-parkinsons-disease-pd/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/depression-and-psychosis-in-military-veterans-with-parkinsons-disease-pd/