![]()
A Video
Report: Approval of drug might slow development of dementia among
Parkinson’s patients
According to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), dementia is
one of the complications most feared by Parkinson’s disease patients
and caregivers. Of the 1.5 million Americans living with the
disease, an estimated 40% develop dementia.
The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Exelon (rivastigmine
tartrate) for the treatment of mild to moderate Parkinson’s
disease dementia, making it the first approved medication
available for the treatment of this condition.
The risk
of developing dementia is approximately four to six times
higher among Parkinson’s patients than among elderly people
without the disease. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease dementia include cognitive impairment and neuro-psychiatric
symptoms (e.g., depression, hallucinations, anxiety and
apathy). These symptoms impact the patient’s quality of
life, course of the disease and caregiver distress.
While
this drug is now being used to treat Parkinson’s patients
with dementia, for years it has been used to in the
treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.