M. Gasparini et al., COGNITIVE IMPROVEMENT DURING TOLCAPONE TREATMENT IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE, Journal of neural transmission, 104(8-9), 1997, pp. 887-894
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tolcapone, a reve
rsible, selective inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase, on the co
gnitive functions of eight patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.
They underwent neuropsychological and. motor assessment at baseline a
nd were reevaluated after 6 months. During this period, they received
Tolcapone three times daily, while the L-dopa dosage was progressively
reduced. Significant improvements were observed in the attentional ta
sk, auditory-verbal shortterm memory, visuo-spatial recall, constructi
onal praxia and motor symptoms. These data suggest that treatment with
Tolcapone, in combination with L-dopa therapy, may determine ii signi
ficant improvement in cognitive resources of patients with advanced Pa
rkinson's disease.