A review of studies describing the use of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors in Parkinson's disease dementia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To review the literature relating to the use of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors in Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

METHOD:

MEDLINE (1966--December 2004), PsychINFO (1972--December 2004), EMBASE (1980--December 2004), CINHAL (1982--December 2004), and the Cochrane Collaboration were searched in December 2004.

RESULTS:

Three controlled trials and seven open studies were identified. Efficacy was assessed in three key domains: cognitive, neuropsychiatric and parkinsonian symptoms.

CONCLUSION:

Cholinesterase inhibitors have a moderate effect against cognitive symptoms. There is no clear evidence of a noticeable clinical effect against neuropsychiatric symptoms. Tolerability including exacerbation of motor symptoms--in particular tremor--may limit the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors.

• Authors: I D Maidment, C Fox, M Boustani
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 111 Issue 6 Pg. 403-9 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 15877706 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (classification, therapeutic use)
• Dementia (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Parkinson Disease (complications)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic