Psychosis is a very difficult symptom to deal with for both Parkinsonian patients and those who care for them. It occurs in 10% to 15% of all patients with Parkinson's disease. (Cummings, 1999) It drastically reduces the quality of life for those afflicted. It also results in increased trauma for caregivers, an earlier transfer to a nursing home, and shorter lifespan.
Characteristics of Psychoses
- Visual hallucinations
- Belief that one is being persecuted
- Belief that one is in dire peril
- Fear of being spied upon, threatened, or followed
Possible Causes
Many risk factors have been identified with psychoses. The older a patient is and the further advanced the disease is, the more likely psychoses are to occur. Cognitive impairment is also correlated with psychosis. Atrophy of the nucleus basalis and cortical cholinergic deficiencies are neuroanatomical precursors to psychoses. (Cummings, 1999) Levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, appear to be the main culprit in occurrence of psychoses. Dopaminergic drugs and deficiency in acetylcholine may work together to bring about psychosis.
Treatment of Psychoses
Until recently, treatment for psychoses was nearly impossible in Parkinsonian patients. This is because the drugs that were commonly used to treat psychosis caused Parkinsonian symptoms themselves. A decision had to be made about whether the psychosis or the Parkinsonism was least desireable.
Today, a new drug has been discovered that treats the psychoses involved in Parkinson's Disease without exacerbating the other disabilities caused by the disease. This new drug is clozapine. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that provides much relief for victims of Parkinson's. Its side effects, which include sedation and agranulocytosis, must be very carefully monitored. This drug is also very costly, although it may save money in the long run by reducing costs of care for these patients.
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- Visual hallucinations
- Belief that one is being persecuted
- Belief that one is in dire peril
- Fear of being spied upon, threatened, or followed
Possible Causes
Many risk factors have been identified with psychoses. The older a patient is and the further advanced the disease is, the more likely psychoses are to occur. Cognitive impairment is also correlated with psychosis. Atrophy of the nucleus basalis and cortical cholinergic deficiencies are neuroanatomical precursors to psychoses. (Cummings, 1999) Levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, appear to be the main culprit in occurrence of psychoses. Dopaminergic drugs and deficiency in acetylcholine may work together to bring about psychosis.
Treatment of Psychoses
Until recently, treatment for psychoses was nearly impossible in Parkinsonian patients. This is because the drugs that were commonly used to treat psychosis caused Parkinsonian symptoms themselves. A decision had to be made about whether the psychosis or the Parkinsonism was least desireable.
Today, a new drug has been discovered that treats the psychoses involved in Parkinson's Disease without exacerbating the other disabilities caused by the disease. This new drug is clozapine. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that provides much relief for victims of Parkinson's. Its side effects, which include sedation and agranulocytosis, must be very carefully monitored. This drug is also very costly, although it may save money in the long run by reducing costs of care for these patients.
Back to Home Page
Back to Psychology
Many risk factors have been identified with psychoses. The older a patient is and the further advanced the disease is, the more likely psychoses are to occur. Cognitive impairment is also correlated with psychosis. Atrophy of the nucleus basalis and cortical cholinergic deficiencies are neuroanatomical precursors to psychoses. (Cummings, 1999) Levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, appear to be the main culprit in occurrence of psychoses. Dopaminergic drugs and deficiency in acetylcholine may work together to bring about psychosis.
Treatment of Psychoses
Until recently, treatment for psychoses was nearly impossible in Parkinsonian patients. This is because the drugs that were commonly used to treat psychosis caused Parkinsonian symptoms themselves. A decision had to be made about whether the psychosis or the Parkinsonism was least desireable.
Today, a new drug has been discovered that treats the psychoses involved in Parkinson's Disease without exacerbating the other disabilities caused by the disease. This new drug is clozapine. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that provides much relief for victims of Parkinson's. Its side effects, which include sedation and agranulocytosis, must be very carefully monitored. This drug is also very costly, although it may save money in the long run by reducing costs of care for these patients.
Back to Home Page
Back to Psychology
Until recently, treatment for psychoses was nearly impossible in Parkinsonian patients. This is because the drugs that were commonly used to treat psychosis caused Parkinsonian symptoms themselves. A decision had to be made about whether the psychosis or the Parkinsonism was least desireable.
Today, a new drug has been discovered that treats the psychoses involved in Parkinson's Disease without exacerbating the other disabilities caused by the disease. This new drug is clozapine. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that provides much relief for victims of Parkinson's. Its side effects, which include sedation and agranulocytosis, must be very carefully monitored. This drug is also very costly, although it may save money in the long run by reducing costs of care for these patients.
Back to Home Page
Back to Psychology
Back to Psychology