Pramipexole in comparison to l-dopa: a neuropsychological study.

Abstract

Twenty right-handed patients affected by early/mild Parkinson's disease were evaluated in a randomised study using neuropsychological and clinical assessements during three treatment modalities: when in the off treatment condition, when on pramipexole, and when on l-dopa. In comparison to the off treatment condition, the DA-agonist pramipexole produced a significant impairment of short term verbal memory, attentional-executive functions and verbal fluency, while l-dopa did not. Moreover, pramipexole opposite to l-dopa, failed to improve FAS and Stroop tests. Present findings indicate that pramipexole may worsen cognitive functions although not exceeding normative values.

• Authors: L Brusa, A Bassi, A Stefani, M Pierantozzi, A Peppe, M D Caramia, L Boffa, S Ruggieri, P Stanzione
• Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) (J Neural Transm (Vienna)) Vol. 110 Issue 4 Pg. 373-80 (Apr 2003) ISSN: 0300-9564 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 12658365 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Benzothiazoles
• Thiazoles
• Levodopa
• Pramipexole

Topics

• Aged
• Analysis of Variance
• Benzothiazoles
• Cognition Disorders (chemically induced, psychology)
• Female
• Humans
• Levodopa (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests (statistics & numerical data)
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy, psychology)
• Pramipexole
• Thiazoles (adverse effects, therapeutic use)