<p>Drugs commonly prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease may increase the risk of impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating and hypersexuality in some patients, a new study has claimed.<br /><br /></p>.<p>These impulse control disorders (ICDs) can have disastrous personal, professional and financial consequences if not recognised or treated, according to researchers from the Loyola University Chicago in the US.<br /><br />A previous study found that approximately 14 per cent of Parkinson's disease patients experience at least one ICD. The disorders are more common in men.<br /><br />Men are more likely to display hypersexuality and pathological gambling, while women are more likely to exhibit compulsive eating and buying.<br /><br />Potentially catastrophic consequences include financial ruin, divorce and loss of employment, researchers said.<br /><br />Patients often lack insight and underestimate the presence and severity of ICDs and related conditions. ICDs are probably more prevalent in Parkinson's disease patients than previously reported, they said.<br /><br />The primary risk factor for ICDs is the use of a class of Parkinson's disease medications called dopamine agonists, which help control tremors and other Parkinson's symptoms. These drugs include pramipexole and ropinirole.<br /><br />Other risk factors include younger age, smoking, alcohol abuse and personality traits such as impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety.<br /><br />Management of ICDs is particularly difficult and no treatment guidelines for ICDs in Parkinson's patients are available, researchers said.<br /><br />Treatment should be individualised, and careful selection of specific interventions is critical. Treatments that have been considered include switching, reducing or discontinuing Parkinson's medications.<br /><br />Researchers suggest alternative treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease and medications that may help control ICDs, such as antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs.<br /><br />Other potential nondrug treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy and a "brain pacemaker" called deep brain stimulation, researchers said.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Drugs commonly prescribed to treat Parkinson's disease may increase the risk of impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating and hypersexuality in some patients, a new study has claimed.<br /><br /></p>.<p>These impulse control disorders (ICDs) can have disastrous personal, professional and financial consequences if not recognised or treated, according to researchers from the Loyola University Chicago in the US.<br /><br />A previous study found that approximately 14 per cent of Parkinson's disease patients experience at least one ICD. The disorders are more common in men.<br /><br />Men are more likely to display hypersexuality and pathological gambling, while women are more likely to exhibit compulsive eating and buying.<br /><br />Potentially catastrophic consequences include financial ruin, divorce and loss of employment, researchers said.<br /><br />Patients often lack insight and underestimate the presence and severity of ICDs and related conditions. ICDs are probably more prevalent in Parkinson's disease patients than previously reported, they said.<br /><br />The primary risk factor for ICDs is the use of a class of Parkinson's disease medications called dopamine agonists, which help control tremors and other Parkinson's symptoms. These drugs include pramipexole and ropinirole.<br /><br />Other risk factors include younger age, smoking, alcohol abuse and personality traits such as impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and anxiety.<br /><br />Management of ICDs is particularly difficult and no treatment guidelines for ICDs in Parkinson's patients are available, researchers said.<br /><br />Treatment should be individualised, and careful selection of specific interventions is critical. Treatments that have been considered include switching, reducing or discontinuing Parkinson's medications.<br /><br />Researchers suggest alternative treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease and medications that may help control ICDs, such as antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs.<br /><br />Other potential nondrug treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy and a "brain pacemaker" called deep brain stimulation, researchers said.<br /><br />The study was published in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics. <br /><br /></p>