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http://dem0nmac.mgh.harvard.edu/neurowebforum/ParkinsonsDiseaseArticle
s/CognexusedforParkinsons.htmlA

Cognex used for Parkinsons?

This response submitted by Joan Aylor Kirby on 1/3/96.

My 78 year old father was diagnosed with Parkinsons
4 years ago and was making improvement with monitored
dosages of Sinemet, still walking and driving. Four weeks
ago, his doctor prescribed Cognex for short term memory loss.
>From his first day on Cognex, we noticed impaired speech and
movement. After seven days on Cognex, via a phone conversion
with his doctor, he was taken off Cognex and his Sinmet dosage
was reduced to 2/5ths. At this point, he became totally
rigid (bed-ridden), unable to talk, walk or control his urine or
bowel functions. His blood pressure increased, oxygen level
decreased to 84%, stomach hurt, and he began to run a 101 fever,
at which point he was hospitalized. Three days after hospitalization,
his internist was unable to wake him for several hours, and we feared
the worst. His internist then changed his antibiotic and he began to
improve, but continuously complained of pain in his calves. When his
normal dosage of Sinemet was resumed, he began to hallucinate for the
first time in his history of Parkinsons. Reducing the Sinemet again
improved the hallucinations, but his movements remained impaired.
After a week, the fever subsided and we were able to move him to
Fairfax Hospital rehabilitation center. Here's the question: since all
tests for stroke, thrombosis, pneumonia, etc. remained negative and
the pain still remains in his legs, is there a doctor, specialist who
might suggest what happened to throw his body in a disease state
beyond the Parkinsons? The fever remains low grade, but no diagnoses
was made about the actual physical effects of Cognex on a Parkinsons
patient. Would respectfully appreciate any response by Parkinsons
patients or family with any similar reaction to Cognex. Thank you.

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Cognex in Parkinsons Disease

http://dem0nmac.mgh.harvard.edu/neurowebforum/ParkinsonsDiseaseArticle
s/CognexinParkinsonsDisease.html

This response submitted by [log in to unmask] on 10/28/95.

Cognex is a medication used to improve memory in those with mild
Alzheimers Disease. The drug increases the acetylcholine level in the
brain which then improves memory function. The effect of Cognex on
memory disturbance in Parkinsons Disease has not been tested.
Increasing the acetylcholine level may increase parkinsonian symptoms.
This occurs becuase there is an imbalance between dopamine and
acetylcholine in the brain of people with PD. Theoretically, increased
levels of acetylcholine would oppose dopamine and hence increase the
features of PD. Therefore the drug company has been reluctant to
pursue additional testing of this drug in the treatment of dementia
associated with PD. From my observation in a few (20) people, Cognex
probably does not cause a significant in parkinsonian features. I also
have not found a very postitive effect on memory. If memory is a major
problem, I believe the medication is worth trying. There are several
things to keep in mind when using this drug: 1. It may take 3-4 weeks
before there is a positive effect on memory. 2. You need to have
regular blood tests to watch for liver illness. 3. If you or your
family are unable to see an improvement in memory function within a
few months, the medication should be stopped.

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