>
> He saw his neurologist early on in the deterioration, when he was
> quite cogent in his responses to the doctor's questions, so the doctor
> thought that his symptoms were mild. Today, his family physician
> saw such a dramatic change that she has ordered a CATSCAN. In the interim,
> the psychiatrist who prescribed Prozac took him off it, thinking it may
> have been responsible.
>
> The family's understanding has been that the onset of dementia is slow
> in Parkinson's and that it is expected after many years of illness.
> Is it possible that the dementia that sometimes accompanies PD
> could come so quickly and so overwhelmingly? Or should we be looking
> for other explanations? Any experiences or pointers to relevant information
> would be much appreciated.
>
>
George,
It sounds like your doctors are on top of the situation. Rapid
onset dementia usually has a cause other than PD. Drug incompatibitities
or the possibility of some other organic brain disease need to be ruled
out.
------
Mary Ann
Zippo's mom.
