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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Maidment
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ID
East Kent NHS & SCPT, UK. ian.maidment@nhs.net
Fox
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C
Boustani
M
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors