Impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviors associated with dopaminergic therapies in Parkinson disease. 2012

Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
Parkinson Disease Program (HDW), Sinai Hospital of Baltimore; Department of Neurology (HDW), Johns Hopkins University Medical School, Baltimore, MD; Mental Health Services (LM), Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston; and Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology (LM), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Impulse control disorders (ICD) (most commonly pathologic gambling, hypersexuality, and uncontrollable spending) and compulsive behaviors can be triggered by dopaminergic therapies in Parkinson disease (PD). ICD are especially prevalent in patients receiving a dopamine agonist as part of their treatment regimen for PD, and have also been reported when dopamine agonists are used for other indications (e.g., restless legs syndrome). Although these iatrogenic disorders are common, affecting 1 in 7 patients with PD on dopamine agonists, they often elude detection by the treating physician. ICD lead to serious consequences, causing significant financial loss and psychosocial morbidity for many patients and families. ICD can appear at any time during treatment with dopamine agonists, sometimes within the first few months, but most often after years of treatment, particularly when patients receive dopamine agonists and levodopa together. In most cases ICD resolve if the dopamine agonist is withdrawn, and PD motor symptoms are managed with levodopa monotherapy. Familiarity with the clinical aspects, risk factors, pathophysiology, and management of ICD is essential for physicians using dopaminergic therapies to treat PD and other disorders.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
February 2015, Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
October 2006, Neurology,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
January 2018, Frontiers in neurology,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
February 2011, Nature reviews. Neurology,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
July 2013, The International journal of neuroscience,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
January 2016, Revista espanola de geriatria y gerontologia,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
February 2021, Journal of affective disorders,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
October 2016, Neurology,
Howard D Weiss, and Laura Marsh
August 2007, Archives of neurology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!