PARKINSON'S DISEASE DOES NOT CAUSE COMPULSIONS

12th January 2013 - New research



Neurology [2013] 80 (2) : 176-180 (Weintraub D, Papay K, Siderowf A)

Although compulsions can often occur in Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Disease does not actually cause compulsions or related problems. When people with Parkinson's Disease were compared with people who do not have Parkinson's Disease the frequencies of compulsions were little different : gambling (1.2% v 0.7%), buying (3% v 2%), sexual behaviour (4.2% v 3.5%), eating (7% v 10%), punding (prolonged, purposeless, and stereotyped behaviour) (5% v 2%), hobbyism (5% v 12%), walkabout (0.6% v 0.7%), any compulsions (18% v 20%).

The fact that Parkinson's Disease itself does not seem to cause an increased risk of developing compulsions or related behaviour further reinforces the reported association between Parkinson's Disease drugs and causing compulsions. Given that approximately 20% of people with newly diagnosed Parkinson's Disease report some impulse control or related behaviour symptoms, long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether such people are at increased risk for impulse control disorder development once Parkinson's Disease drugs are initiated.