Grant: Operating Grant

Depression is the most common non-motor complication of Parkinson's disease (PD) and is associated with more severe motor symptoms, greater cognitive impairment, increased mortality, poorer quality of life and increased caregiver burden. While antidepressant medication often represent the first choice of treatment, some antidepressants may worsen parkinsonian symptoms and many individuals who already take multiple other medications are reluctant to take yet another one. Evidence-based depression-focused psychological interventions may be a treatment option for those who prefer a non-pharmacological approach. One of the best studied depression-focused psychological interventions is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). This brief intervention focuses on the interpersonal context of depression and strengthens social supports that can buffer against the effects of stress and adversity caused by PD. Pilot work by our group suggests that 12 sessions of IPT reduces depressive symptoms and improves quality of life in people with PD. However, a larger study is needed to confirm these findings. The main objective of this study is to determine if IPT works better than a control therapy in reducing symptoms of depression and improving quality of life in PD-depression. We will also explore factors that determine who responds best to IPT and understand how IPT's interpersonal focus improves depressive symptoms. The study will recruit 80 PD patients with a depressive disorder. Patients will be randomly assigned to either 12 weeks of IPT or 12 weeks of a control psychotherapy (supportive listening). If we demonstrate that IPT is better than supportive listening in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life, this will be an important first step in assuring the proper care of PD-depression.