Psychosis in Parkinson Disease: A Review of Etiology, Phenomenology, and Management

Drugs Aging. 2016 Dec;33(12):855-863. doi: 10.1007/s40266-016-0416-8.

Abstract

Parkinson disease psychosis (PDP) is a common phenomenon in Parkinson disease (PD) patients treated with dopaminergic drugs, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It also correlates with depression and dementia, and can contribute to considerable caregiver stress and burnout. While symptoms can be relieved by decreasing doses or number of anti-PD medications, this may lead to an unacceptable worsening of motor function. When general medical or psychiatric conditions have been ruled out, and decreasing dopaminergic agents is not effective in treating psychosis, therapies include atypical antipsychotics, primarily clozapine and quetiapine. Of these, clozapine is effective but is associated with a poor side-effect profile and the necessity for frequent blood draws. Clinicians prefer quetiapine for its theoretically better safety profile, although there is no evidence for efficacy in treating psychosis. All atypical antipsychotics are associated with increased mortality in this patient population. Cholinesterase inhibitors can ameliorate psychosis symptoms. The serotonin 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist pimavanserin was recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of PDP and may prove to be a more targeted therapy without the downsides of atypical antipsychotics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Clozapine / pharmacology
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / metabolism
  • Psychotic Disorders / physiopathology
  • Quetiapine Fumarate / pharmacology
  • Quetiapine Fumarate / therapeutic use
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives
  • Urea / pharmacology
  • Urea / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Piperidines
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Urea
  • Clozapine
  • pimavanserin