Certain patients are more likely to develop compulsive gambling with Parkinson's medication

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Study shows which Parkinson's patients are most at risk of compulsive gambling.
Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease, which increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, can trigger compulsive behaviors like gambling, shopping, sexual activity and binge eating. It may be that there is an underlying susceptibility to these disorders which the Parkinson's medication brings out.

Researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke now report on a study of 21 patients with Parkinson's disease who developed compulsive gambling after taking medications. They were compared to a group of 42 Parkinson's patients who did not develop a compulsive gambling habit. The gambling group scored higher scores on a novelty-seeking questionnaire and were younger at the onset of Parkinson's disease. They were also more likely to have a personal or family history of alcohol abuse. The findings suggest that such patients may need careful monitoring when they are prescribed medication for Parkinson's disease.

Source
Archives of Neurology February 2007 Volume 64 pages 212-216

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