Clinical researchers have found that a new drug called pimavanserin could be the very first to offer safe and effective treatment for people who are experiencing psychotic symptoms from Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study released in The Lancet.
The research team in the US and UK noted that of the 10 million people around the world who have the disease, about 50% may experience psychosis, which is defined as delusions and hallucinations. Psychotic symptoms are quite common for people who have Parkinson’s, one researcher noted, and can be really distressing both for the patient and the people caring for them. Fortunately, this new drug offers a great deal of hope for these patients to lead much more normal lives.
Psychosis is one of the big reasons that people with the disease are admitted into nursing homes. It also increases chances of dying from the disease. Until this point, there have been no safe and effective drugs available to treat the disorder.
Until now, patients who had psychosis problems only could take antipsychotic drugs – quetiapine and clozapine – but these drugs can make the symptoms of Parkinson’s worse.
Pimavanserin Blocks the Receptors That Cause Psychosis
The phase III trial looked at pimavanserin as a possible new drug to treat psychosis that does not have the negative side effects that antipsychotic drugs can cause.
The drug functions by blocking serotonin 5 HT2A receptors in the brain, specifically in the neocortex. This is the part of the brain that handles sensory perceptions, language and concious thought. These receptors are linked to delusions and hallucinations, according to research.
To do tests of the drug, the researchers collected a group of 200 patients with the disease who also have symptoms of psychosis. The patients were 40 or older and they were recruited from medical centers in the US and Canada.
For 6 weeks, patients were given either a placebo or a 40 mg pill of pimavanserin. After 5 weeks, researchers noted that patients who had taken pimavanserin had a 37% improvement in their symptoms, compared to just a 14% improvement in patients who took a placebo. Patients did not show a worsening of motor problems. Researchers also noted that there were major improvements in the patients who took the drug, as witnessed by their cargivers and also independent, blinded raters.
VitaVault Vitamin Dispenser
Whatever type of drugs your loved one is taken for her Parkinson’s disease, they can really help her to live a much more normal and productive life. It is key, however, to ensure that she is taking her drugs regularly. Many Parkinson’s supplies can help with this. The VitaVault Vitamin Dispenser is a new product that dispenses large pills, supplements and vitamins. It has a clear front panel which makes it easy for you to monitor and identify the different pills. The MediChest Curved Weekly Pill Organizer makes it easy to organize morning, noon and night medication doses, and the contoured design makes it easier to take the pills out.
