Brief Report

Rivastigmine as alternative treatment for refractory REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease^†^‡

Corresponding Author

Raffaella Di Giacopo MD, PhD

[email protected]

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Achille e Linda Lorenzon Foundation, Treviso, Italy

Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8 Rome 00168 ItalySearch for more papers by this author

Alfonso Fasano MD, PhD,

Alfonso Fasano MD, PhD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

AFaR-Fatebenefratelli Association for Biomedical Research, Rome, Italy

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Davide Quaranta MD,

Davide Quaranta MD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Research Center for Neuropsychology, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

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Giacomo Della Marca MD, PhD,

Giacomo Della Marca MD, PhD

Sleep Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

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Francesco Bove MD,

Francesco Bove MD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

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Anna Rita Bentivoglio MD, PhD,

Anna Rita Bentivoglio MD, PhD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

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Raffaella Di Giacopo MD, PhD,

Corresponding Author

Raffaella Di Giacopo MD, PhD

[email protected]

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Achille e Linda Lorenzon Foundation, Treviso, Italy

Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8 Rome 00168 ItalySearch for more papers by this author

Alfonso Fasano MD, PhD,

Alfonso Fasano MD, PhD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

AFaR-Fatebenefratelli Association for Biomedical Research, Rome, Italy

Search for more papers by this author

Davide Quaranta MD,

Davide Quaranta MD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Research Center for Neuropsychology, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Search for more papers by this author

Giacomo Della Marca MD, PhD,

Giacomo Della Marca MD, PhD

Sleep Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Search for more papers by this author

Francesco Bove MD,

Francesco Bove MD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

Search for more papers by this author

Anna Rita Bentivoglio MD, PhD,

Anna Rita Bentivoglio MD, PhD

Movement Disorders Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

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First published: 30 January 2012

https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.24909

Citations: 99

^†

Relevant conflicts of interest/financial disclosures: Nothing to report.

^‡

Full financial disclosures and author roles may be found in the online version of this article.

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Abstract

Background:

We report on a double-blind, crossover pilot trial for the treatment of rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) in 12 patients with Parkinson's disease in whom conventional therapy failed.

Methods:

We employed a patch of the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine at a dose of 4.6 mg/24 hours for 3 weeks compared with placebo to reduce the frequency of RBD episodes. The number of RBD episodes was monitored by diaries of bed partners.

Results:

Rivastigmine was well tolerated in most patients, with minor side effects, mainly related to peripheral cholinergic action, and significantly reduced the mean frequency of RBD episodes during the observation time.

Conclusions:

References

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Volume27, Issue4

April 2012

Pages 559-561

Rivastigmine as alternative treatment for refractory REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease^†^‡

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Rivastigmine as alternative treatment for refractory REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease†‡

Abstract

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Rivastigmine as alternative treatment for refractory REM behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease^†^‡