Anti-sickness drug being trialled for dementia-related hallucinations

Pills A national study led by UCL researchers is investigating whether a readily available anti-sickness drug could treat dementia-related hallucinations. The Trial of Ondansetron as a Parkinson's HAllucinations Treatment, or TOP HAT study, is now recruiting volunteers across England, Scotland and Wales to evaluate whether ondansetron, an anti-sickness drug used in the NHS for cancer patients, could also be used for treating hallucinations in people with Lewy body dementia or Parkinson's disease. Hallucinations affect up to 75% of people with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia at some point during their condition. They can be extremely distressing and sometimes result in a person becoming confused, frightened, or in need of support. Current hallucination medications also negatively affect other Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia symptoms, so research into new treatments is vital. Ondansetron has previously shown promise for treating hallucinations and with the drug already being used in the NHS, dementia researchers are excited to explore its full potential. Chief investigator Professor Suzanne Reeves (UCL Psychiatry) said: "Current drug treatment options for visual hallucinations in people with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia are limited and can cause significant side effects which worsen some people's symptoms.