The Exelon Patch & Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease Dementia

Studies suggest that Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) is common among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The dementia symptoms should follow the diagnosis of PD by at least two years. Forty percent of patients with PD have Parkinson's disease dementia and up to 80% may develop PDD over time. PDD is not Alzheimer's disease. If a person develops PDD, he or she may have trouble with solving problems, planning, or recalling information. PDD is a disease of the brain that is believed to affect cognition, social and daily functioning, and aspects of behavior.

Exelon Patch is a prescription medicine for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia. In a study of Parkinson's disease dementia, parkinsonian symptoms, particularly tremor, occurred or worsened in some people taking Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) capsules.

Parkinson's disease dementia results from a loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce important chemicals. When these chemicals stop working in the brain, so do the functions they help to control, such as decision making or memory.