Elsevier

Neuroscience Research

Volume 41, Issue 4, 21 December 2001, Pages 397-399
Neuroscience Research

Rapid Communication
Zonisamide has beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease patients

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-0102(01)00298-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Zonisamide (ZNS) is a generally well tolerated anticonvulsant that has beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease (PD). ZNS (300 mg/day) given to a patient with PD who incidentally had convulsive attacks, ameliorated the attacks and, surprisingly, his parkinsonian symptoms. We, therefore, carried out an open trial of ZNS on nine patients with PD. Patients were given 50–200 mg/day ZNS in addition to their anti-PD drugs. Seven clearly showed lessening of symptoms, especially wearing-off. We speculate that long lasting activation of dopamine synthesis by ZNS ameliorates parkinsonian symptoms, in particular wearing-off.

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