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Parkinson's Disease: Anticholinergics

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Anticholinergic drugs block the activity of a substance in the body called acetylcholine. Like dopamine, acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter.

It carries messages between nerve cells. Overactivity of cholinergic neurons within certain areas of the brain has been linked to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremor. Drugs that inhibit the actions of acetylcholine (e. g. Cognetin, Biorphen) can relieve these symptoms.

Advantages and disadvantages of the anticholinergics

Advantages	Disadvantages
Mainly used in the treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism	Lose effectiveness after a few years
Useful for specific treatment of rest tremors	No effects on bradykinesia/akinesia
	Elderly patients may be particularly sensitive to the side-effects of these agents, including confusion and impaired memory
	Other side effects including dry mouth constipation, confusion, blurred vision

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Glossary

Glossary entries within this article:

Acetylcholine
- Chemical substance (neurotransmitter) released by cholinergic nerves. Acetylcholine is involved in many different brain functions, including control of motor activity. It is also associated with defined syndromes of Parkinson’s disease such as tremor and rigidity.
Amantadine
- Chemical substance used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease to improve tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia.
Anticholinergic agents
- Chemical substances that inhibit or antagonize the effect of acetylcholine.
Cholinergic
- Related to or controlled by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Tremor
- An uncontrollable shaking, in particular the hands. Performing everyday tasks, such as fastening buttons or shaving, becomes more difficult.

In the glossary you will find terms that we have provided with some extra-information.

glossary

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