A review of studies describing the use of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors in Parkinson's disease dementia

Objective: To review the literature relating to the use of acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors in Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

Method: MEDLINE (1966 – December 2004), PsychINFO (1972 – December 2004), EMBASE (1980 – December 2004), CINHAL (1982 – December 2004), and the Cochrane Collaboration were searched in December 2004.

Results: Three controlled trials and seven open studies were identified. Efficacy was assessed in three key domains: cognitive, neuropsychiatric and parkinsonian symptoms.

Conclusion: Cholinesterase inhibitors have a moderate effect against cognitive symptoms. There is no clear evidence of a noticeable clinical effect against neuropsychiatric symptoms. Tolerability including exacerbation of motor symptoms – in particular tremor – may limit the utility of cholinesterase inhibitors.