Robin Williams’ death puts spotlight on Parkinson’s

The revelation that Robin Williams was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson’s disease along with severe depression at the time of his apparent suicide has drawn 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.