Clozapine prevents recurrence of psychosis in Parkinson's disease.
Psychosis secondary to dopaminergic therapy can limit the ability to manage motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We report the results of an open label 3-month trial that evaluated the antipsychotic effects of clozapine in eight PD patients with drug-induced psychosis. Response was quantified using a simplified brief psychiatric rating scale and two PD scales. Clozapine significantly improved psychiatric scores at low doses. The use of every other day regimens (not previously utilized) led to good control of symptoms and minimized side effects. Clozapine also had a positive sleep effect in four patients and improved dyskinesia in one. Finally, this treatment prevented recurrence of psychosis while levodopa doses were significantly increased and while other antiparkinsonian medications were added. Motor disability related to PD improved as a result of these treatment adjustments. We conclude that clozapine is effective in treating drug-induced psychosis in PD and allows for safe optimization of antiparkinsonian therapy.
Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, NY 12208.
S A
SA
Factor
D
D
Brown
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D003024:Clozapine