Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease are distinct neurological conditions. However, limited research suggests there may be risk associations between the two.
Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s involve distinct neurological processes, but emerging research suggests that there may be links between their development. This may be due to the effect of schizophrenia medications and shared genetic risk factors.
The associations between the conditions are not conclusive, however. In this article, we will detail the two conditions and their potential links.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in which the brain cells responsible for producing dopamine progressively die. The resulting lack of dopamine causes symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, extremely slow movements, and impaired balance.
By contrast, schizophrenia spectrum disorders — a range of conditions characterized by psychosis — tend to develop in young adulthood and are thought to be caused by an overactive dopamine system in the brain.
The opposite effects of these two illnesses on the dopamine system have given rise to the long-standing belief that people with schizophrenia are much less likely to develop Parkinson’s later in life.
However, despite the two conditions having opposite effects on the brain’s dopamine system,
Limited studies have assessed potential links between Parkinson’s and schizophrenia incidence. However, further research is necessary to fully explore these possible associations.
In the above
The drugs may change the brain’s dopamine system in a way that increases a person’s chances of developing Parkinson’s disease.
However, another study suggests that the link between the conditions may be more related to genetics and neurological changes than an outcome of medication.
Researchers noted that motor system symptoms in schizophrenia may increase Parkinson’s risk, and that an increased genetic risk of Parkinson’s increases the risk of a person developing schizophrenia.
The relationship between schizophrenia and Parkinson’s is further complicated by overlapping features of the two types of condition. This can make diagnosis difficult in cases of co-occurrence.
In schizophrenia, problems with movement — known as parkinsonism — are a common side effect of the first generation of antipsychotic drugs. They may also occur without these medications.
People with Parkinson’s, on the other hand, often develop signs of Parkinson’s disease-associated psychosis. Symptoms of this condition can range from disordered thinking to hallucinations and delusions.
The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that between 20 and 40% of people with Parkinson’s experience hallucinations or delusions.
While traditionally thought to have contrasting effects on the brain’s dopamine system, recent research suggests possible links between schizophrenia and Parkinson’s. Researchers suggest that the use of certain schizophrenia medications and shared genetic risk factors may influence these associations. However, further research is necessary to fully assess any potential links