Methods for treating parkinson's disease

Abstract

The invention provides methods for treating Parkinson's disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one cholinesterase inhibitor compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a stereoisomer thereof. A preferred cholinesterase inhibitor compound is donepezil, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a stereoisomer thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating Parkinson's disease in a patient in need thereof comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula IV or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
 wherein the compound of formula IV is:                          or a stereoisomer thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula IV is a hydrochloride salt.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stereoisomer of the compound of formula IV is a compound of formula VII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
 wherein the compound of formula VII is:                          
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula VII is a hydrochloride salt.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stereoisomer of the compound of formula IV is a compound of formula VIII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
 wherein the compound of formula VIII is:                          
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of formula VIII is a hydrochloride salt.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula IV, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the stereoisomer thereof is administered in an amount of about 5 milligrams.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula IV, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the stereoisomer thereof is administered in an amount of about 10 milligrams.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula IV, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the stereoisomer thereof is orally administered to the patient.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula IV, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or the stereoisomer thereof is in the form of a tablet.