Researchers estimate that about 50% of Parkinson's patients will suffer from hallucinations at some point. In a recent study conducted in London, in which the researchers used a filter specially developed for this purpose, the researchers found that no less than 75% experienced hallucinations.

6/12/2011

The doctors are debating, are the hallucinations a direct product of Parkinson's disease, or a side effect of the medication?

In addition, other factors may also be involved:

Basic diseases
Hallucinations sometimes appear as a result of other diseases, such as a chest or urinary gland infection, or as a side effect of medications to treat the same problems.

Medication
Hallucinations can occur as a side effect of many drugs, but they are particularly associated with amantadine, dopamine agonists, and anticholinergic drugs, especially in older people. Sometimes they appear after a change in the medication dose following the addition of a new medication.

Unfortunately, the hallucinations may appear at any time, regardless of the change in the medication regimen.

Memory problems
Hallucinations are more common in people who already suffer from memory problems, and often they are associated with insanity.

Sleep Disorders
It seems that people whose sleep/wake pattern has been disturbed, or people who sleep a lot during the day, are more likely to suffer from hallucinations, and for some it may also manifest itself in sleep talking or sleep walking.

vision
Visual hallucinations sometimes appear due to poor vision.

Did you know?
Even people who have lost their eyesight sometimes experience visual hallucinations. This is known as Charles Bona syndrome.

Thanks to the European Parkinson Society for the use of the above section and its translation
www.epda.eu.com 
www.rewritetomorrow.eu.com
מקור: http://www.rewritetomorrow.eu.com/pdsymptoms/hallucinations/hallucinations-and-parkinsons/

Translation: Varda Azoulai 8.8.11