Effects of Amantadine Sulfate on Cognitive Impairments in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Cognitive impairments in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) lead to occupational, social, and psychological maladaptation of patients and their relatives. This article presents the epidemiology, structure, and nature of cognitive impairments in PD; the main pathogenetic factors involved in the development of moderate cognitive impairment and dementia in PD are discussed, as are the methods of diagnosis and assessment of cognitive impairments and approaches to the correction of memory and intellectual impairments. Results obtained from our own studies of the effects of treatment with amantadine sulfate at a dose of 300 mg for 6 months on changes in cognitive impairments in 25 patients with PD are presented. Treatment results were evaluated using neuropsychological questionnaire and scales (Mini Mental State Evaluation, Frontal Assessment Battery, Matiss Dementia Rating Scale). In patients with PD and moderate cognitive impairments, six months of treatment with amantadine sulfate produced significant improvements in neuropsychological test results.