Serotonin and Amyloidopathy

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common problem of older people often causing significant
problems with thinking and memory. Abnormal accumulation within in the brain of a protein
called amyloid is felt to contribute to impaired thinking and memory in PD. Excessive
accumulation of this protein is also involved in Alzheimer disease (AD) and may influence
thinking and memory in otherwise healthy older people. Recent evidence suggests that changes
in the amount of another brain chemical, serotonin, influences the amount of amyloid
accumulating in the brains of people with PD and otherwise healthy older people. The purpose
of this study is to determine if changes in brain serotonin affects the accumulation of
amyloid in the brain. The investigators use brain imaging methods to measure the amount of
serotonin and amyloid in the brain of individuals with PD and otherwise healthy older people.
PD participants will undergo repeat brain imaging to assess amyloid accumulation 2 years
after their first brain imaging session. All participants will undergo examinations to assess
their motor function, and asked questions to assess their mood and thinking.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Persons who have been diagnosed with Parkinson disease age 45 years and older are
eligible to participate in this study.

- Healthy older individuals (ages 60-80) without neurologic problems are eligible to
participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Individuals using some drugs cannot participate. These include anti-depressant
medications, buproprion, or St. John's Wort, as well as dopamine antagonist
medications.

- Women of childbearing age may not participate.

- Individuals unable to have MRI scans because of a pacemaker or metal fragments may not
participate.

- Individuals with a history of stroke may not participate. People with any
contraindication of PET imaging such as previous participation in research procedures
involving ionizing radiation may not be eligible to participate in this study.