title: Pharmacological management of psychosis in elderly patients with parkinsonism.
abstract: Parkinsonism is a characteristic feature of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies and is commonly seen in Alzheimer's disease. Psychosis commonly appears during the course of these illnesses. Treatment of parkinsonism with antiparkinsonian medications constitutes an additional risk factor for the appearance or worsening of psychosis. Conversely, treatment of psychosis with antipsychotic drugs in patients with parkinsonism might worsen the underlying movement disorder, especially in the elderly. In this article, we review parkinsonian conditions in the elderly and offer guidelines to assess and manage comorbid psychosis. We focus on the pharmacologic management of psychosis with atypical antipsychotic medications and briefly review the role of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Western Regional Integrated Health Authority, Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada. mehrul_hasnain@yahoo.com
authors: Mehrul
authors: M
authors: Hasnain
authors: W Victor R
authors: WV
authors: Vieweg
authors: Mark S
authors: MS
authors: Baron
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Beatty-Brooks
authors: Antony
authors: A
authors: Fernandez
authors: Anand K
authors: AK
authors: Pandurangi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents