For most people, when a wave of anger washes over them, their hearts might race, their faces could flush, and their palms might grow sweaty. But for those living with Parkinson’s disease, that same emotional surge doesn’t pack the same physical punch, according to new research.
Autonomic Issues in Parkinson’s May Underlie Muted Emotions
Emotions, such as feeling excited or afraid, are sometimes accompanied by strong physical reactions such as increased heart rate and blood pressure—responses triggered by the autonomic nervous system and sensorimotor systems. These physical manifestations can be exacerbated or muted by neurological and psychiatric disorders.A Finnish research team found that Parkinson’s mutes the physical symptoms of emotional responses, in a first study showing such abnormalities from a neurological disorder.
Theories About the Muted Physical Experience
The research team theorized that Parkinson’s patients experienced diminished physical anger symptoms—such as increased blood pressure, sweaty forehead, or feeling flushed—because of decreased cardiac sympathetic denervation, a common autonomic issue in Parkinson’s that can lead to heart problems.
The team noted no significant differences in symptoms based on age, alcohol use, or smoking.
The researchers theorize that the muted physical experience of emotions results from progressive autonomic nervous system dysfunction associated with Parkinson’s, which also causes circulatory and gastrointestinal issues. Parkinson’s is linked to many nonmotor symptoms, such as depression and anxiety.
“In recent years, there has been a growing realisation that the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease have a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. The results of our study highlight yet another non-motor phenomenon,” Dr. Kalle Niemi, clinician-scientist in neurology and co-author of the study, said in a statement.
