Switching from an oral dopamine receptor agonist to rotigotine transdermal patch: a review of clinical data with a focus on patient perspective

Current updates in Restless Legs Syndrome: A pragmatic review

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis–Ekbom disease (WED), affects approximately 3% of the global population, with higher incidence in Caucasians and women. This review explores the latest advancements in the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of RLS, and it highlights the recent changes in diagnostic criteria that improve specificity. The diagnostic spectrum now includes atypical presentations involving the upper limbs and other body parts. The new diagnostic specifiers categorize RLS more effectively into chronic-persistent or intermittent types, and a clinical significance specifier has been introduced to better address the disorder’s effects on daily life. RLS management has shifted toward a balanced approach with non-pharmacological strategies and lifestyle changes, supported by updated pharmacological treatment protocols including iron therapy designed to mitigate risks such as augmentation. Notably, gabapentinoids have emerged as a superior treatment option over dopamine agonists owing to their lower risk of augmentation and superior safety profile. Innovative treatments, such as the FDA-approved tonic motor activation device and new pharmacological agents, serve as alternatives for treating medication-refractory RLS, thereby expanding the therapeutic landscape. Additionally, this review addresses the specific considerations for managing RLS in special groups, including pregnant women, individuals with chronic kidney disease, and patients with comorbid conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. We emphasizes the dynamic nature of RLS research and highlight the critical need for ongoing studies to further elucidate the complex mechanisms underlying RLS, as well as to refine the treatment modalities to enhance patient outcomes.

Potential efficacy of dopaminergic antidepressants in treatment resistant anergic-anhedonic depression results of the chronic anergic-anhedonic depression open trial - CADOT

Introduction

Among treatment-resistant depression (TRD), we identified anergic-anhedonic clinical presentations (TRAD) as putatively responsive to pro-dopaminergic strategies. Based on the literature, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and dopamine D2 receptor agonists (D2RAG) were sequentially introduced, frequently under the coverage of a mood stabilizer. This two-step therapeutic strategy will be referred to as the Dopaminergic Antidepressant Therapy Algorithm (DATA). We describe the short and long-term outcomes of TRAD managed according to DATA guidelines.

Method

Out of 52 outpatients with TRAD treated with DATA in a single expert center, 48 were included in the analysis [severity - QIDS (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology) = 16 ± 3; episode duration = 4.1 ± 2.7 years; Thase and Rush resistance stage = 2.9 ± 0.6; functioning - GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) = 41 ± 8]. These were followed-up for a median (1st - 3rd quartile) of 4 (1-9) months before being prescribed the first dopaminergic treatment and remitters were followed up 21 (11-33) months after remission.

Results

At the end of DATA step 1, 25 patients were in remission (QIDS <6; 52% [38-66%]). After DATA step 2, 37 patients were in remission (77% [65-89%]) to whom 5 patients with a QIDS score = 6 could be added (88% [78-97%]). Many of these patients felt subjectively remitted (GAF = 74 ± 10). There was a significant benefit to combining MAOI with D2RAG which was maintained for at least 18 months in 30 patients (79% [62-95%]).

Conclusion

These results support TRAD sensitivity to pro-dopaminergic interventions. However, some clinical heterogeneities remain in our sample and suggest some improvement in the description of dopamine-sensitive form(s).

The severity progression of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a 6-year longitudinal study in Taiwanese patients

Nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) cause major burden in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous NMSs progression studies mostly focused on the prevalence. We conducted a longitudinal study to identify the progression pattern by the severity. PD patients recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary medical center were evaluated by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS). A retrospective study with three-step analysis was performed. Step 1, the NMSs severity was compared among patients stratified by disease duration every 2 years up to 10 years. Step 2, patients with repeated tests in 2 years were categorized into 4 groups by the diseased duration of every 5 years. Step 3, the NMSS score changes in 6 years follow-up were determined, and the dosage of anti-PD drugs was compared to the NMSs severity changes. 676 patients completed the step 1 analysis, which showed a trend of NMSs worsening but not significant until the disease duration longer than 4-6 years. Furthermore, the severity did not change between repeated evaluations in 2 years in all patients. The progression became apparent after 6 years. Individual symptoms had different progression patterns and the increment of medications was independent to NMSs evolution. We demonstrated the NMSs severity progression in Taiwanese PD patients and the independence of the medications and NMSs progression.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of a Single Escalating Dose and Repeated Doses of Rasagiline Transdermal Patch in Healthy Chinese Subjects

A rasagiline transdermal patch can be used to offer continuous rasagiline to patients with Parkinson's disease who cannot take their usual oral medications. This was the first study to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of the rasagiline transdermal patch in healthy Chinese subjects. Thirty subjects were randomized to 3 groups with 10 subjects in each group. The 10 subjects of group 1 received a single 1-mg dose of rasagiline as a tablet; the 20 subjects of groups 2 and 3 received a single transdermal patch (48-hour patch-on period) containing 1.25 mg and 2.5 mg rasagiline, respectively. After a 2-week washout period, the subjects of group 1 were assigned to receive 1 mg of rasagiline tablets every 24 hours for 7 days, and the subjects of group 2 were assigned to receive 1.25-mg rasagiline transdermal patches (48-hour patch-on period) every 72 hours for 5 time periods. The absorption of rasagiline from the transdermal patch was significantly improved, although the peak plasma concentration was obviously reduced. There was slight accumulation of rasagiline dose after multiple administrations. Inhibition of platelet monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity was dose dependent. The 80% inhibition maintained for at least 48 hours after multiple-dose administration of 1 mg tablets, and for 72 hours after multiple-dose administration of 1.25 mg/48 h patch. Compared with rasagiline tablets, the transdermal patch had a prolonged duration of 80% inhibition and increased maximal inhibition of MAO-B activity. These characteristics permitted an interval of 3 days of dosing, which was convenient for patients to use.