In an open exploratory study, 12 patients with established Parkinson’s disease, persistent hallucinations and moderate cognitive impairment were given rivastigmine for six weeks at maximum tolerated doses before withdrawal. “On drug treatment, we saw significant improvements regarding these patients’ hallucinations and cognitive abilities,” said study author Paul Reading, Ph.D., of the Regional Neurosciences Centre of Newcastle General Hospital in the United Kingdom. “After rivastigmine therapy was withdrawn, there was a corresponding deterioration in their symptoms.”
Parkinson’s patients’ performance was also enhanced while on the medication, with faster reaction times and better attention in tasks measuring numerical working memory and vigilance. Caregiver distress was also improved.
“We are encouraged by the fact that these benefits of rivastigmine therapy did not seem to come at the expense of patients’ motor control,” said Reading.
Further study will be required to investigate the potentially reversible cholinergic deficits in this patient group and their likely involvement in neuropsychiatric symptomology.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit its web site at www.aan.com.
EDITORS NOTE: Dr. Reading will present the research at the American Academy of Neurology's 54th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., during a poster presentation on Thursday, April 18, 2002 at 7:30 a.m. in Exhibit Hall C of the Colorado Convention Center.
For more information contact:
Kathy Stone, 651-695-2763, kstone@aan.com
April 13-20, 303-228-8450
Cheryl Alementi, 651-695-2737, calementi@aan.com