Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition that affects 1% of the population over 65, i.e. approximately 100,000 people in France, “and 8,000 new cases occur each year”, recalls the National Institute of Health and Medical Research. If this disease is characterized by more or less strong tremors, some patients may also show signs of psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, delirium.
English and American researchers have looked into this disorder, which sometimes complicates Parkinson’s disease after several years. A phase III clinical trial tested pimavanserin, a molecule that opposes the effects of serotonin. Currently available anti-psychotic drugs have side effects that tend to increase the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s. According to research conducted by scientists between 2010 and 2012 on 199 patients and published by the journal The Lancet, pimavanserine would effectively treat psychotic disorders without disturbing the patient.
The only effect that has been observed is a possible change in heart rhythm, so an electrocardiogram will be required before using the drug. The long-term consequences will need to be investigated through further broader research.
