Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors are used in patients with Parkinson’s disease to reduce the complications associated with long term levodopa therapy. By inhibiting catecholamine catabolism, they extend the pharmacological effects of levodopa and improve patient disability. Also as a result of the inhibition of catecholamine catabolism, COMT inhibitors may have some positive effects on cognitive functions and on some psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, that can occur in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Animal studies have shown that COMT inhibitors may exert a positive effect on some cognitive functions, such as short term and working memory, and learning. However, results of these studies are, in some cases, difficult to interpret. One clinical study of patients with Parkinson’s disease who were treated with the COMT inhibitor tolcapone as an adjuvant to long term levodopa therapy showeda positive effect on several cognitive aspects. These results warrant a wider investigation of the cognitive effects of COMT inhibitors in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
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