Mirtazapine improves visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease: a case report. Issue 2 (12th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tagai, Kenji; Nagata, Tomoyuki; Shinagawa, Shunichiro; Tsuno, Norifumi; Ozone, Motohiro; Nakayama, Kazuhiko
• Is Part Of: Psychogeriatrics. Volume 13:Issue 2(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 2013-06-12
• Subjects: Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9768905
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8301.2012.00432.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1346-3500

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Psychotic symptoms often occur as a complication in Parkinson's disease patients, and a set of criteria for Parkinson's disease with psychosis (PDPsy) has been established. Among these criteria, hallucinations are one of the specific symptoms, with visual hallucinations being the most common. While atypical antipsychotic agents are often used for the treatment of PDPsy, adverse effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms, often hinder its continuation or tolerance. There have been some reports and reviews indicating that antidepressants may be effective for PDPsy and other forms of dementia with psychosis. In this report, we present a patient with PDPsy who was treated with one of the new‐generation antidepressants, mirtazapine. Mirtazapine improved the patient's refractory psychotic symptoms, especially her visual hallucinations, without worsening her motor symptoms.</p> </abstract>