Effectiveness of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Treating Psychotic Symptoms in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease: Findings from a Meta-Analysis Study

2023-07-06 03:26:44

A study has shown that cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, are effective in treating psychotic symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

The results of a study on the effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitor treatment for the treatment of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, conducted by researchers including Emile d’Angremont at the University of Groningen Medical Center in the Netherlands, were published in the international journal JAMA on the 26th (doi :10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.1835).

Aricept, original drug with donepezil ingredient

Low levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in cognitive function, are reported in most patients with dementia.

Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil and rivastigmine, prescribed for dementia have a mechanism of inhibiting the cholinesterase enzyme that decomposes acetylcholine.

To determine whether cholinesterase inhibitors improve individual neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly delusions and hallucinations, in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, a total of 34 clinical trials, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (DLB), were conducted. A meta-analysis method was adopted.

Patients with AD, PD, or PD were prescribed at least one dose of donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, or placebo and had at least one neuropsychiatric symptom, including hallucinations or delusions.

As a result of analyzing studies involving 6649 people, administration of cholinesterase inhibitors improved neuropsychiatric scores by -0.08 for delusions and -0.09 for hallucinations overall, and -0.14 for delusions and -0.08 for hallucinations when only the PD patient group was specified.

“The results of a meta-analysis of individual participants suggest that cholinesterase inhibitor treatment improves psychotic symptoms in patients with AD and PD,” said the researchers. “Cholinesterase inhibitors may be considered for people with neurodegenerative disorders and psychotic symptoms. ” he concluded.

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