About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

How does the body physically react to emotion differently in Parkinson's Disease (PD), and can we use that information to develop an early diagnosis criteria for the disease? The mind and the body are tethered in a very real and quantifiable manner. As humans, we physically respond to emotion in predictable ways. Our palms sweat. Our heart races. Our blood pressure spikes. But it appears that this is not quite the case in Parkinson's Disease. PD can alter both the subjective experience of emotion, as well as the subsequent physical response. We are identifying and quantifying these differences by studying people with and without PD. Our specific goal is to answer the following questions:
1. When exposed to emotional stimuli, do people with Parkinson's react differently with regards to heart rate? blood pressure? and skin sweat response?
2. Do people with Parkinson's subjectively rate emotional stimuli as more/less intense? more/less pleasurable?

What is the significance of this project?

We know precious little about the early symptoms, the cause, and the anatomical locations of Parkinson's Disease outside the brain. This must change. This degenerative disease is diagnosed by its characteristics movement symptoms: tremor, rigidity, and shuffling gait. Nevertheless, the disease likely begins at least a decade prior to diagnosis, with the insidious development of early non-movement symptoms, including cognitive, emotional, and physical dysfunction. Research suggests that the physical response to emotion is one of these early non-movement symptoms. Why study these early symptoms?

1. The development of early therapies requires an early diagnostic criteria.

2. People diagnosed with PD and their caretakers deserve to know the disease's physical and emotional symptoms, and how to treat them.

3. If we understand the early symptoms of PD, we can in turn map the progression of the disease in the body, in hopes of deciphering its causes and novel therapies.

What are the goals of the project?

In order to complete my already ongoing research, I need to finance two major research expenditures: research subject compensation and disposable laboratory materials.

My research is made possible by the willingness of people with and without Parkinson's Disease to participate. All subjects are compensated with $50 and complementary parking ($7) for the half day spent with me in lab. Subjects are connected to a number of devices that measure heart rate, blood pressure, and skin sweat in real time. I then present them with a series of emotionally charged images, and record their bodies' responses, as well as their subjective ratings of each image. These laboratory devices require disposable elements, such as electrodes, conductive gel, anti-septic wipes, and other items that need to be replenished regularly. Your generosity will help advance our understanding of both Parkinson's Disease and the neurological circuitry that connects the mind and the body.