The US FDA has approved Exelon (rivastigmine tartrate) for the treatment of mild to moderate Parkinson's disease dementia. Exelon, the first drug indicated for this condition, has previously been approved as a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease.

"It's been recognized for almost a decade that the dementia of patients with Parkinson's disease differs from the dementia of patients with Alzheimer's," said Dr. Steven Galson, Director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, "but until now, there has been no treatment that has been shown to be effective specifically for the dementia associated with Parkinson's Disease. Today's approval of Exelon helps to fill this medical need."

Exelon is a choline esterase inhibitor, which works by increasing the levels on acetylcholine in the brain. It has already secured marketing authorization in Europe and according to a Forbes news report, has already been approved to treat Parkinson's Disease dementia in 14 other countries.