“Drooling in Parkinson’s disease is very common, affects quality of life, and has limited treatment options. We hope our research will contribute to solutions,” - Dr. Tiago MestreAn Ontario study led by Dr. Tiago Mestre provides the first longer-term evidence that glycopyrrolate can reduce drooling associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

About half of people with Parkinson’s experience drooling, caused by problems with the ability to swallow saliva. Drooling can cause embarrassment in social situations, and treatment options are limited. 

Previous studies had showed that glycopyrrolate, which decreases saliva production, was effective in treating drooling in Parkinson’s disease over one week. However, the study led by Dr. Mestre, which involved 28 people, was the first to look at the long-term effects over three months. 

The team used a scale that measured patient-reported impacts of drooling on their daily activities. Individuals with Parkinson’s who took glycopyrrolate had a score of 16.5 compared to 21.8 in the placebo group, showing the drug had a positive impact on their daily functioning by reducing the amount of drooling. However, there were some side effects, including dry mouth and constipation.

“Drooling in Parkinson’s disease is very common, affects quality of life, and has limited treatment options. We hope our research will contribute to solutions,” said Dr. Tiago Mestre

Source: Movement Disorders

Authors: Tiago A Mestre, Eliza Freitas, Ahmed Basndwah, Marta Ruiz Lopez, Lais Machado de Oliveira, Duha Mohammed Al-Shorafat, Tinghua Zhang, Jane P Lui, David Grimes, Susan H Fox

Funding: Ottawa Parkinson Research Consortium, Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorders Fund

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa. Research at The Ottawa Hospital is possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

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