Psychosis and Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) psychosis is a common phenomenon that affects quality of life, caregiver burden, and disability in patients with PD. Although there may be an increased risk of psychosis inherent to the disease itself, current research suggests that dementia, advancing age, and concomitant medication use increase the risk of psychosis in PD. Symptoms of psychosis in this population may include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, false sense of presence, and illusions. Early intervention may be important for delaying progression of psychotic symptoms. Treatment options for PDrelated psychosis include reduction of dopaminergic therapy, switch to levodopa, simplification of polypharmacy and addition of an atypical antipsychotic, such as quetiapine and clozapine.