Effects of Rotigotine on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Vascular Parkinsonism: A Pilot Study
Sabrina Anticoli, MD1, Francesca Romana Pezzella, MD1, Maria Cristina Bravi MD1 and Marilena Mangiardi, MD1*
1Stroke Unit Department, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
*Corresponding Author: Marilena Mangiardi MD, MSc, Stroke Unit Department, S. Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, C.ne Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy, Tel: +39-06-58703313; Fax: +39-06-58705479
Received: April 18, 2022 Published: April 28, 2022
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of available therapeutic interventions for vascular parkinsonism (VaP) is not yet established and still under-investigated. Levodopa can be useful for treating VP, but it may increase serum homocysteine levels resulting in cerebral arteries stiffness and thrombotic events. Our work hypothesis is that transdermal rotigotine patch, a non-ergolinic dopamine-receptor agonist (DAs), may represent a potential therapeutic alternative to levodopa.
Methods: The aim of this 12-month prospective, open-label, multi-center pilot study, has been to observe if transdermal rotigotine patch improved VP-related motor and non-motor symptoms. Eleven patients were assessed at enrolment (T0), at 6 (T1) and at 12 (T2) months after starting rotigotine by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II).
Results: The UPDRS score in sections I to III, MMSE, MOCA and BDI at both T1 and T2 visits, improved in treated patients with medium to large effect size (Bonferroni-adjusted p-values < 0.05). There were no changes in NPI scores over time. No serious adverse events were reported. Two patients discontinued treatment due to skin reactions at the application site.
Conclusions: The present pilot study provide preliminary suggestions that transdermal rotigotine can be a valuable therapeutic option to manage VaP-related motor and non-motor symptoms. Clinical trials are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of transdermal rotigotine in a larger VaP-patients sample size.
Keywords: Vascular Parkinsonism, Stroke, Neuropharmacology, Rotigotine
Citation: Anticoli S, Pezzella FR, Bravi MC, Mangiardi M. “Effects of Rotigotine on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Vascular Parkinsonism: A Pilot Study”. SVOA Neurology 3:3 (2022) Pages 97-101.
