Impulsive Behavior and Associated Clinical Variables in Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative brain disorder accompanied by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the presence of motor and non-motor symptoms. We performed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based analysis of impulsive behavior in our PD clinic population to assess prevalence and associated characteristics. We found a higher prevalence of impulsive behavior (29.7%) than previously reported, and found multiple, concurrent impulsive behaviors in 26% of subjects reporting impulsive behavior. Our findings contribute to the growing awareness of impulsive behavior in PD, and support the need for longitudinal studies to assess changes in impulsive behaviors in Parkinson's patients.

Sleep Disturbance and Serum Ferritin Levels Associate with High Impulsivity and Impulse Control Disorders in Male Parkinson’s Disease Patients

“…This subset consisted of 11 male patients who were diagnosed by a clinical psychologist and appeared to present with a somewhat greater disease severity (UPDRS III score), when compared to the remaining male PD patient cohort. Unlike previous studies, the ICD subset were not of early disease onset or longer disease duration [3], with findings showing age, disease duration and age of disease not being significant variables of ICD prevalence in PD. Despite being of similar age and disease duration, the ICD subset also displayed significantly greater ferritin levels and transferrin saturation when compared to the other male PD patients (p<.05), and elevated transferrin saturation compared to healthy controls.…”

“…Recent studies suggest ICDs occur in upwards of 40% of PD patients [2], with males more likely to report multiple impulsive behaviours than females [3]. While there are currently no reliable predictive markers for the development of an ICD, patients with higher traits of impulsivity may be more susceptible, although this is yet to be established.…”

“…While there are currently no reliable predictive markers for the development of an ICD, patients with higher traits of impulsivity may be more susceptible, although this is yet to be established. Patients displaying high impulsivity traits are known to have a younger age at PD onset [3] and are also more likely to be individuals who have recurrent falls [4].…”

Impulse control disorders in advanced Parkinson's disease with dyskinesia: The ALTHEA study

“…First, the overall frequency of clinically significant ICDs and related behaviors was 36%, higher than the prevalence reported in the general PD population, including Italian de novo patients (13%) . This was also true for each severe ICD and related behaviors subtype, namely, pathological gambling, compulsive sexual behavior, binge eating disorders, DDS, punding, and hobbyism (7%, 5%, 12%, 7%, and 4%, respectively) .…”

Kleptomania: Clinical Characteristics and Relationship to Substance Use Disorders

“…Furthermore, dopamine release into the nucleus accumbens has been implicated in translation of motivated drive into action (22). Some Parkinson's patients receiving dopamine agonists exhibit a range of new impulsive-type behaviors, including increased use of alcohol, gambling, and shoplifting (23). These case reports suggest that, in some individuals, a common dopamine dysfunction may underlie both shoplifting and substance use.…”