The Effects of the Rivastigmine Patch on Parkinson's Disease With Memory and/or Thinking Problems
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This is an open-label study to investigate the effects of the rivastigmine patch on attention
and behavior in Parkinson's disease when associated with memory and/or thinking problems.
Rivastigmine (also sold under the name Exelon) is an FDA approved medication used for the
treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and memory or thinking problems due to
Parkinson's disease. Recently a rivastigmine patch was developed, which has shown similar
effectiveness with fewer side effects and increased caregiver preference when compared to
capsules. This is an open-label 12 week study where 15 subjects diagnosed with Parkinson's
Disease who have mild to moderate memory and/or thinking complaints will be treated with the
rivastigmine patch at UCSF. This study also analyzes the mechanism by which the rivastigmine
patch works in people with Parkinson's disease and memory and/or thinking problems.