"Scientists have discovered that a commonly prescribed dementia drug could hold the key to helping prevent debilitating falls for people with Parkinsons. The research published today in The Lancet Neurology  shows people with Parkinsons who were given the oral drug rivastigmine were  less likely to fall and were considerably steadier when walking compared to those on the placebo. Parkinsons affects  people in the UK and approximately seven million worldwide.  of people with Parkinsons will fall at least once a year with over a third experiencing falls repeatedly resulting in fractures broken bones and hospital admissions .  Parkinsons UK Research Fellow Dr Emily Henderson and principal researcher on the study based at the University of Bristol said With the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells people with Parkinsons often have issues with unsteadiness when walking. As part of the condition they also have lower levels of acetylcholine a chemical which helps us to concentrate  making it extremely difficult to pay attention to walking. We already know that rivastigmine works to treat dementia by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine however our study shows for the first time that it can also improve regularity of walking speed and balance. This is a real breakthrough in reducing the risk of falls for people with Parkinsons.  Dr Henderson and her team at the University of Bristol studied  people with Parkinsons who had fallen in the past year. Half the group were given rivastigmine capsules and the other half a placebo for an eight month period. Dr Arthur Roach Director of Research at Parkinsons UK which funded the study said People affected by Parkinsons their carers and health and social care professionals have said that preventing falls and improving balance is the biggest unmet need for people living with the condition other than finding a cure. Things that may be simple to us such as walking upstairs or getting up in the middle of the night to get a glass of water or go to the toilet are much harder and more dangerous when you could easily fall. You risk breaking bones and then needing an emergency hospital admission.  This trial shows that there may be drugs already available being used for other purposes that can be tested to help treat Parkinsons. This takes us a step closer to improving the quality of life and finding better treatments for people with Parkinsons. Caroline Maxwell from Northamptonshire a participant on the study who was diagnosed with Parkinsons  years ago said A few years ago I had a bad fall while carrying my sewing machine across the room leaving me in hospital for a week and really denting my confidence. Im at the stage where I would walk much better with a replacement joint but because I fall so frequently my surgeon is reluctant to operate. Falling on my replacement hip would put in an even worse situation than what Im in now. By potentially finding a treatment that helps to prevent falls Id be able to get a replacement hip and have the confidence to go shopping on my own without having to constantly rely on the goodness of strangers to pick me up when I fell.  For more information on Parkinsons UK research and to donate visit parkinsons.org.ukresearch httpparkinsons.org.ukresearch.  For media and interview enquiries Hanna Kilpin Senior Media  PR Officer  Research Parkinsons UK hkilpinparkinsons.org.uk mailtohkilpinparkinsons.org.uk   . Out of hours   Notes to editors . Rivastigmine for gait stability in patients with Parkinsons disease ReSPonD a randomised doubleblind placebocontrolled phase  trial. Henderson E J et al. Lancet Neurology. January . httpdx.doi.org.S.  . Recurrent Falls in Parkinson s disease A Systematic Review. Allen N E et al. Parkinsons Disease.   . Priority setting partnership to identify the top  research priorities for the management of Parkinsons disease. Deane K H O et al. BMJ Open. December . doi.bmjopen  . Dr Emily Henderson Dr Arthur Roach and Caroline Maxwell are available for interview on request Parkinsons UK Every hour someone in the UK is told they have Parkinsons.  It affects  people in the UK  which is around one in  of the population. Parkinsons is a degenerative neurological condition for which there currently is no cure. The main symptoms of the condition are tremor slowness of movement and rigidity.  Parkinsons UK is the UKs leading charity supporting those with the condition. Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinsons through cutting edge research information support and campaigning.  For advice information and support visit http or call our free confidential helpline on   . University of Bristol  School of Social and Community Medicine More information about the University of Bristols School of Social and Community Medicine can be found at http"