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Impulse control disorders
Important: Impulse control disorders (ICDs) can develop in a person with Parkinson’s disease on any dopaminergic therapy, at any stage of the disease.
🧠 About
- ICDs are a recognised complication of Parkinson’s treatment, most strongly linked with dopamine agonists but can occur with levodopa too.
- They represent maladaptive reward-seeking behaviours triggered by overstimulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways.
🔎 Clinical Presentation
- Pathological Gambling 🎰
- Hypersexuality ❤️🔥
- Compulsive Shopping 🛍️
- Binge Eating 🍫
- Punding 🔧 — stereotyped, repetitive handling of objects (e.g., disassembling gadgets, sorting items, skin-picking).
💊 Common Causative Medications
- Levodopa/Benserazide (Madopar)
- Typical daily dose: 300–800 mg levodopa (divided).
- Started at 50–100 mg tds, titrated gradually.
- Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)
- Typical daily dose: 300–1,000 mg levodopa (divided).
- Common start: 100/25 mg tds.
- Dopamine Agonists
- Pramipexole: start 0.125–0.25 mg tds, titrate up to ~1.5 mg tds.
- Ropinirole: start 0.25 mg tds, titrate up to ~8 mg tds.
- Rotigotine patch: start 2 mg/24h, titrate to 8 mg/24h (or more).
🛠️ Management of ICDs
- Medication Adjustment
- Reduce or stop the dopamine agonist first (most strongly associated).
- Rebalance Parkinson’s drug regimen (consider levodopa dominance, COMT inhibitors, MAO-B inhibitors).
- Non-Pharmacological Support
- Cognitive–behavioural therapy for compulsive behaviours.
- Family education & close monitoring for relapse.
- Lifestyle and psychosocial interventions to reduce triggers.
Pearl for exams 📝: If a Parkinson’s patient develops sudden gambling, hypersexuality, or compulsive spending, always suspect dopamine agonists and adjust medication.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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