29/05/06 - Drug boost for Parkinson's sufferers
Parkinson's patients with dementia can now benefit
from a drug designed to treat Alzheimer's.
Exelon is the first medicine of its kind to be licensed by the European
Medicines Agency (EMEA) for sufferers of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's is primarily a motor-nerve problem, causing shaking and
rigidity. However, in many cases it is also associated with mental decline.
Up to 40% of Britain's 120,000 Parkinson's patients suffer from varying
degrees of dementia.
Patients experience a wide degree of symptoms, including hallucinations,
anxiety, apathy and depression. Dementia is the most likely reason for
someone with Parkinson's going into a nursing home.
Exelon, the brand name for the drug rivastigmine, is normally used to
treat mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's.
It belongs to a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which
alter brain chemistry to improve both memory and thinking.
Until now, there has been no medicine indicated for the treatment of
Parkinson's dementia.
Dr Jane Byrne, senior lecturer at the University of Manchester and an
expert in dementia, said: "This is extremely encouraging news for patients
affected by Parkinson's disease who then develop dementia. For many
patients with Parkinson's disease, the dementia symptoms cause more
distress for them and their carers than the physical symptoms.
"Now for the first time, there is a treatment proven to be clinically
effective in some patients available for us to use."
Robert Meadowcroft, director of policy, campaigns and information at
the Parkinson's Disease Society, said: "Dementia associated with Parkinson's
disease is a significant problem for patients and their families. It
often results in a major emotional and social burden and can lead to
additional costs of care.
"We therefore welcome therapies like Exelon which give new hope to families
caring for a loved one with dementia and may improve the quality of
life of the whole family."
The new licence is based on the outcome of a 24-week trial, known as
EXPRESS, involving 541 Parkinson's patients.
The results showed significant benefits from Exelon which were maintained
over 48 weeks.
Source : Press Association
