Paroxetine in Parkinson's disease: Effects on motor and depressive symptoms

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been used in the treatment of depression in patients with PD. Conflicting data as to whether selective se rotonin reuptake inhibitors worsen parkinsonian motor symptomatology have b een reported. In this study, the additional 6 months therapy with paroxetin e 20 mg/d in a group of depressed patients with PD did not modify parkinson ian motor function (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores); howev er, in one patient, fully reversible worsening of tremor was observed. Depr ession, as evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression R ating Scale, improved from baseline to final visit (p < 0.05 by analysis of variance).