Effects of methylphenidate on cognitive function and gait in patients with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
Twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease were studied before and 2 h after the administration of a single dose of 20 mg of methylphenidate. In response to methylphenidate, attention significantly improved, whereas memory and visual-spatial performance were unchanged. Gait speed, stride time variability, and Timed Up and Go times (demonstrated measures of fall risk) significantly improved. These findings suggest a new potential pharmacologic means of enhancing mobility and decreasing fall risk in Parkinson's disease.
Auriel
Eitan
E
Movement Disorders Unit, NPF Center of Excellence, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Hausdorff
Jeffrey M
JM
Herman
Talia
T
Simon
Ely S
ES
Giladi
Nir
N
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate