Introduction

The research we are discussing on this 1-hour episode really drives home the complex connection between depression and 3 neurodegenerative diseases: 

1. Alzehimer’s Disease
2. Parkinson’s Disease
3. Huntington Disease

Even though depression has a high comorbidity with all of these diseases, you’ll learn why it should not be an assumed part of the disease process. Instead, depression should be recognized as distinct and treated. 

But, here’ where it gets super complex:

In some cases the medications traditionally used to help treat depression do not work for this population—and can be actively harmful. So, OT approaches like environmental enrichment and physical exercise could actually be the front line defense for helping these patients manage their depression. 

To unpack all of this, I am so thankful to be joined on the podcast next week with dementia care expert, Rachel Wiley, MS, OTR/L, CDP.

In order to earn credit for this course, you must take the test within the OT Potential Club.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/depression-dementia-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Galts, C. P. C., Bettio, L. E. B., Jewett, D. C., Yang, C. C., Brocardo, P. S., Rodrigues, A. L. S., Thacker, J. S., & Gil-Mohapel, J. (2019). Depression in neurodegenerative diseases: Common mechanisms and current treatment options. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 102, 56–84. 

Support the show