Robin Williams' death highlights Parkinson's-depression link

[August 15, 2014]  By Piya Sinha-Roy and Eric Kelsey

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Robin Williams was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson's disease along with severe depression at the time of his apparent suicide, his widow said on Thursday, drawing public attention to the correlation between the diseases.

Although the gifted comedian had spoken before about his depression, Parkinson's experts have noted how the incurable and debilitating nervous system disorder that causes tremors and slowness of movement also affects people emotionally.

"The neurochemicals that are impacted by Parkinson's disease and the pathways that control motor functions are also integrally involved in the control of mood," said Dr. Irene Richard, a neurology professor at the University of Rochester in New York.

More than half of those who suffer from Parkinson's also experience clinical depression, according to the National Parkinson Foundation, which advises all Parkinson's patients to be screened for depression.

The 63-year-old Oscar-winning comedic virtuoso, whose madcap style and dramatic versatility made him one of film and television's top stars, was found hanged at his home in Northern California on Monday.
 

Williams' widow, Susan Schneider, said the comedian "was not yet ready to share publicly" his struggles with Parkinson's, which affects about 1 million people in the United States.

'PART OF THE DISEASE'

"It is our hope in the wake of Robin's tragic passing that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid," Schneider said in the statement.

Between 50,000 and 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year in the United States. It typically affects people older than 50.

"We actually believe that (depression) is part of the disease itself. It's related to the brain dysfunction in Parkinson's disease," Richard said.

Actor Michael J. Fox, boxer Muhammad Ali and singer Linda Ronstadt have all be diagnosed with Parkinson's. Ronstadt said last year that the disease had robbed her of her singing voice.

"Stunned to learn Robin had PD," Fox said on Twitter. "Pretty sure his support for our Fdn (foundation) predated his diagnosis. A true friend; I wish him peace."

Williams, whose starring roles included "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Good Will Hunting," had been open about his struggles with alcohol and had gone to a Minnesota rehabilitation center this summer to "fine-tune" his sobriety, his publicist said in July.

Schneider said Williams was sober when he died and was also suffering from anxiety.

Friends of the comedian, who first shot to prominence as a friendly alien in late 1970s TV series "Mork & Mindy," described him as a man who masked his depression and thrived from performing for a crowd.

"Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched," Schneider said.

Funeral arrangements are pending, and a full toxicology report will take two to six weeks, local officials said.

(Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Lisa Shumaker)

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