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HALLUCINATIONS IN parkinson's disease Practical Neurology [2008] 8 (4) : 238-241 (Poewe W.) Complete abstract Visual hallucinations occur in up to 40% of people with Parkinson's disease. However, hallucinations are not actually due to Parkinson's Disease. Age and cognitive decline are the most important intrinsic risk factors, but hallucinations are often triggered by conditions such as infection and dehydration. The single most important trigger, however, is the use of CNS drugs, especially drugs for Parkinson's Disease. While hallucinations and psychosis can be triggered by amantadine and anticholinergics, they are more commonly experienced after changes in dopaminergic drugs. Dopamine agonists have the greater potential to induce hallucinations compared with L-dopa. Attempting to reduce Parkinson's Disease drugs is an important part in the management of these symptoms, but atypical neuroleptics like clozapine or quetiapine are often also used. Visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease patients with dementia can also be improved by treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine. Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn