[Akatinol memantine in the therapy of cognitive disorders in Parkinson's disease]

Thirty-eight patients, 20 male, 18 female, mean age 61.8+/-7.7 years, illness duration 8.4+/-1.3 years, have been studied. The degree of severity of Parkinson's disease (PD) according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale was 2.6+/-0.4. Mild cognitive impairment was observed in all cases. Akatinol memantine was prescribed to patients, who have been receiving levodopa, in the following dosages: the first week--5mg daily, the second week--10 mg daily and from the third week--20 mg in fractional dosages. Treatment duration was 6 months. The patient's state before and after treatment was assessed clinically and with several scales measuring cognitive and motor functions. It was shown that akatinol memantine not only reduced disorders typical for PD (hypokinesia, rigidity, tremor) and increased the daily activity of patients but significantly improved the indices of logic and visual memory, speech functions and thinking.