New dopamine agonist pramipexole improves parkinsonism and depression in Parkinson's disease

Hiroshima J Med Sci. 2011 Dec;60(4):79-82.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that pramipexole might have the potential to improve depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. To provide more evidence, in five Japanese patients at Hoehn & Yahr stage 1-3 we evaluated the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at our hospital. After the pramipexole treatment, each total score of UPDRS, HAMD and MADRS significantly decreased compared with that before the treatment. Our data indicate that pramipexole improves depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Benzothiazoles / pharmacology*
  • Benzothiazoles / therapeutic use
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Dopamine Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Pramipexole

Substances

  • Benzothiazoles
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Pramipexole