Non-dopaminergic treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia in Parkinson's disease: a review.

OBJECTIVE

To review the clinical management of cognitive impairment and dementia related to Parkinson's disease (PD), with emphasis on pharmacologic intervention strategies such as cholinesterase inhibitors.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Collaboration search of English language literature from 1970 to 2004 was performed to identify reviews, studies, case reports, and letters pertaining to the treatment of cognitive impairment in PD. The bibliographies of selected articles were reviewed for additional references.

STUDY SELECTION

Human studies or case reports in adults with PD describing the use of drug and other therapies for the treatment of cognitive impairment in PD.

DATA EXTRACTION

Studies were reviewed for study design, number of subjects, outcome measures, dosage, side-effects, particularly, worsening of PD motor symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The strongest evidence for the pharmacological treatment of cognitive impairment and dementia in PD supports the use of cholinesterase inhibitors. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of other agents in PD dementia is either insufficient or inconclusive, but offers intriguing clues for potential future treatments. No reports from the Cochrane Collaboration were found.