A retrospective analysis of the effects of anticholinergic medication on memory performance in Parkinson's disease

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1991 Fall;3(4):412-6. doi: 10.1176/jnp.3.4.412.

Abstract

We examined the effects of anticholinergic medication on memory function in 113 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Subjects were divided into three disease duration groups: early, middle, and advanced. The battery consisted of three tasks assessing memory of logical discourse, semantically related words, and figural material. We found no evidence of anticholinergic-induced memory dysfunction in any of the three groups. Analysis of covariance indicated that age was not a significant variable; however, dementia may have influenced the relationship between anticholinergic medication and memory scores. Our results indicate that anticholinergic medication does not uniformly compromise memory function in PD patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall / drug effects*
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • Parasympatholytics / adverse effects*
  • Parasympatholytics / therapeutic use
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Retention, Psychology / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Parasympatholytics