 |
 |
You wrote: > >Dear Brian: Your story about your father is interesting to me. I'm 60 and >was diagnosed about 2 yrs ago. At that time, I was very very anxious and >afraid and depressed; I was withdrawn and was ready to retire. After starting >Sinemet, my mood lifted and within a fairly short time, I was back to my former >level of confidence. The last two years, I have gone back to work as the old >me. One of my students told me this week that dopamine related medications >often are mood elevators and are used for mental health treatment as well as >PD. I am interested in what symptoms your father has that are seen as >dementia; is it forgetfulness? There is an involutional aspect of depression >that looks like memory loss because the person goes so effectively "inside." >I will be interested in knowing whether the Sinemet has any effects on the >mentation. All the best. Bob Newbrough > >Question to the networkers: The medication mentioned above is Wellbutin. It is >called a dopamine enhancer and is used in mood disorders. Has anyone knowledge >of this drug? Is it used in treatment of PD? > > Wellbutrin is an antidepressant medication (different from the tricyclics such as Elavil and Norpramine, and the newer drugs such as Prozac) which relates to the serotonin system. It is one of the "milder" drugs in this area. I am not aware of its use in Parkinsonism; but I will do a data search in the next few days and see what I can come up with. Stay tuned; and if anyone else has information, please send it in! Best, Bob -- ******************************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S. Phone: 510-849-2555 Neurological Surgery FAX: 510-849-2557 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 USA E-Mail: [log in to unmask] CompuServe: 72303,3442 America Online: BobFink "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************************