Apathy in people with Parkinson's 'shows the condition is getting worse'

A new scientific study suggests that apathy shown by a person with Parkinson's disease is a sign that the condition is worsening.

Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggest that apathy can be caused by changes in the brain resulting from the condition, Parkinson's UK reports.

The Norwegian study followed a group of 79 people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over a four-year period.

Commenting on the findings, Parkinson's UK's director of research Dr Kieron Breen said: "This is an important study that helps increase our knowledge and understanding of one of the common non-movement related symptoms of Parkinson's."

He went on to say that the charity's own research had found apathy to be a common symptom, while understanding why people with the condition may be apathetic may help carers.

One in every 500 people in the UK has Parkinson's disease, equating to around 120,000 people living with the condition, according to Parkinson's UK.

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