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Objective To assess brain white matter tract alterations in patients with Parkinson's disease and punding (PD-punding) compared with controls and PD cases without any impulsive-compulsive behaviour. Methods Forty-nine PD patients (21 PD-punding and 28 PD with no impulsive-compulsive behaviours) and 28 controls were consecutively recruited. Clinical, cognitive and psychopathological evaluations were performed. Diffusion tensor MRI metrics of the main white matter tracts were assessed using a tractography approach. Results Compared with controls, both PD groups showed white matter microstructural alterations of the left pedunculopontine tract and splenium of the corpus callosum. PD-punding patients showed a further damage to the right pedunculopontine tract and uncinate fasciculus, genu of the corpus callosum, and left parahippocampal tract relative to controls. When adjusting for depression and/or apathy severity, a greater damage of the genu of the corpus callosum and the left pedunculopontine tract was found in PD-punding compared with patients with no impulsive-compulsive behaviours. Conclusions PD-punding is associated with a disconnection between midbrain, limbic and white matter tracts projecting to the frontal cortices. These alterations are at least partially independent of their psychopathological changes. Diffusion tensor MRI is a powerful tool for understanding the neural substrates underlying punding in PD.

Background Impulse control disorders/other compulsive behaviours (‘ICD behaviours’) occur in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but prospective studies are scarce, and prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients are insufficiently defined. Objectives To assess the presence of ICD behaviours over a 2-year period, and evaluate patients’ clinical characteristics. Methods A prospective, non-interventional, multicentre study (ICARUS (Impulse Control disorders And the association of neuRopsychiatric symptoms, cognition and qUality of life in ParkinSon disease); SP0990) in treated Italian PD outpatients. Study visits: baseline, year 1, year 2. Surrogate primary variable: presence of ICD behaviours and five ICD subtypes assessed by modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorder Interview (mMIDI). Results 1069/1095 (97.6%) patients comprised the Full Analysis Set. Point prevalence of ICD behaviours (mMIDI; primary analysis) was stable across visits: 28.6% (306/1069) at baseline, 29.3% (292/995) at year 1, 26.5% (245/925) at year 2. The most prevalent subtype was compulsive eating, followed by punding, compulsive sexual behaviour, gambling and buying disorder. Patients who were ICD positive at baseline were more likely to be male, younger, younger at PD onset, have longer disease duration, more severe non-motor symptoms (including mood and sexual function), depressive symptoms, sleep impairment and poorer PD-related quality of life. However, they did not differ from the ICD-negative patients in their severity of PD functional disability, motor performance and cognitive function. Conclusions Prevalence of ICD behaviours was relatively stable across the 2-year observational period. ICD-positive patients had more severe depression, poorer sleep quality and reduced quality of life.

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), such as compulsive gambling, buying, sexual, and eating behaviors, are a serious and increasingly recognized complication in Parkinson's disease (PD), occurring in up to 20% of PD patients over the course of their illness. Related behaviors include punding (stereotyped, repetitive, purposeless behaviors), dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) (compulsive medication overuse), and hobbyism (e.g., compulsive internet use, artistic endeavors, and writing). These disorders have a significant impact on quality of life and function, strain interpersonal relationships, and worsen caregiver burden, and are associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity. ICDs have been most closely related to the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), while DDS is primarily associated with shorter acting, higher potency dopamine replacement therapy (DRT), such as levodopa. However, in preliminary research ICDs have also been reported to occur with monoamine oxidase inhibitor-B and amantadine treatment, and after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. Other risk factors for ICDs may include sex (e.g., male sex for compulsive sexual behavior, and female sex for compulsive buying behavior); younger age overall at PD onset; a pre-PD history of an ICD; personal or family history of substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or gambling problems; and impulsive personality traits. Dysregulation of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system is thought to be the major neurobiological substrate for ICDs in PD, but there is preliminary evidence for alterations in opiate and serotonin systems too. The primary treatment of ICDs in PD is discontinuation of the offending treatment, but not all patients can tolerate this due to worsening motor symptoms or DA withdrawal syndrome. While psychiatric medications and psychosocial treatments are frequently used to treat ICDs in the general population, there is limited empirical evidence for their use in PD, so it is critical for patients to be monitored closely for ICDs from disease onset and routine throughout its course. In the future, it may be possible to use a precision medicine approach to decrease the incidence of ICDs in PD by avoiding DA use in patients determined to be at highest risk based on their clinical and neurobiological (e.g., motor presentation, behavioral measures of medication response, genetics, dopamine transporter neuroimaging) profile. Additionally, as empirically validated treatments for ICDs and similar disorders (e.g., substance use disorders) emerge, it will also be important to examine their efficacy and tolerability in individuals with comorbid PD.

To determine the clinical and demographic correlates of persistent, remitting, and new-onset impulse control behaviors (ICBs) before and after subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We compared the pre- and post-surgical prevalence of ICBs, classified as impulse control disorders (ICD), dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), and punding in 150 consecutive PD STN-DBS-treated patients and determined the association with motor, cognitive, neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric endpoints. At baseline (before STN-DBS), ICBs were associated with younger age (p = 0.045) and male gender (85 %; p = 0.001). Over an average follow-up of 4.3 ± 2.1 years of chronic STN-DBS there was an overall trend for reduction in ICBs (from 17.3 to 12.7 %; p = 0.095) with significant improvement in hypersexuality (12–8.0 %; p = 0.047), gambling (10.7–5.3 %; p = 0.033), and DDS (4.7–0 %; p

In recent years, levodopa-induced behavioral changes have received increased attention in the medical literature and in clinical practice. The spectrum of these symptoms includes non-motor fluctuations with neuropsychiatric symptoms, compulsive behaviors such as punding, dopamine dysregulation syndrome, and impulse control disorders, psychosis and hallucinations, as well as hypomania and mania. Despite knowledge of the clinical features associated with these behaviors, many of them are probably underdiagnosed. Although the mechanisms underlying behavioral symptoms are still incompletely understood, recent data from imaging and pathological studies have increased our understanding and guided new treatment strategies. Appropriate management remains challenging, because reduction of levodopa (l-dopa) and dopaminergic treatment is often recommended; however, doses required for control of motor symptoms may still induce behavioral changes. Newer modes of delivery of dopaminergic treatment, deep brain stimulation, and nondopaminergic agents may either provide alternatives for treatment of these behavioral problems or permit treatment of parkinsonism with less risk of these behavioral disorders. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), including compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behavior, and eating, are a serious and increasingly recognized psychiatric complication in Parkinson's disease (PD). Other impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICBs) have been described in PD, including punding (stereotyped, repetitive, purposeless behaviors) and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS; compulsive PD medication overuse). ICDs have been most closely related to the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), perhaps more so at higher doses; in contrast, DDS is primarily associated with shorter-acting, higher-potency dopaminergic medications, such as apomorphine and levodopa. Possible risk factors for ICDs include male sex, younger age and younger age at PD onset, a pre-PD history of ICDs, and a personal or family history of substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or gambling problems. Given the paucity of treatment options and potentially serious consequences, it is critical for PD patients to be monitored closely for development of ICDs as part of routine clinical care.

Natural fluidity of movement & feelings seem to be lost in PD. Automatic activities of facial expression, swallowing, speaking, walking become less automatic. Clinical experience is essential to diagnose, decide symptom worsening, determine end of dose wearing off & the on-off states, acknowledge non-motor problems, titrate dopaminergic treatment & add adjunctive treatment. Current breakthroughs in the treatment concepts like discovery of non-dopaminergic brain targets, neuroplasticity, L-DOPA formulations including Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel[LCIG], pump therapies, deep brain stimulation have been discussed. LCIG is available in some 30 countries but cost makes it prohibitive for widespread use. Goalbased motor skill training improves cognitive & automatic components of motor control in mild to moderate PD. Levodopa + carbidopa, remains the gold standard & eventually leads to L-DOPA induced dyskinesia in the majority within 10 years of treatment. MAO-B inhibitors have an excellent side effect profile but mild motor benefit. Dopamine agonists (nonergot-ropinirole, pramipexole) provides moderate symptomatic benefit and delay the development of dyskinesia but at the expense of psychiatric and nonmotor side effects.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.19670 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 174-184

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease, with a worldwide incidence of about 10-20 in 100,000. Its diagnosis remains clinical, and it requires bradykinesia plus one of the following: Rest tremor, rigidity or postural instability. Dopaminergic therapy including levodopa and dopamine agonists has allowed a reasonable control over the motor symptoms, but it offered no help for the non-motor manifestations. To the contrary, dopaminergic antiparkinson therapy was the most likely culprit in the emergence of a new set of impulse control disorders including: Pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping, compulsive eating, punding (complex, repetitive, excessive, non-goal oriented behaviors), walkabout, and dopamine dysregulation syndrome. A case series of three main impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease is presented here with a review of the current thinking regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Background Impulsivity and dopamine dysregulation syndrome are frequent complications of treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods We assessed the effect of jejunal levodopa infusion (JLI) on behavioral symptoms in 8 PD patients with motor complications and severe impulsivity and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), which had not be controlled before by adjusting oral medications. The infusion was delivered during 15 hours (daily dose 1007.2 ± 302.5 mg) and stopped at night time. Patients were reassessed after 25 ± 9 weeks of treatment with a stable dose of jejunal l-dopa. Results Off periods and dyskinesias decreased by 27% and 20,7% respectively, compared to baseline. DDS and all types of impulse control disorders (ICDs) improved in all patients, with nearly complete symptom resolution. Punding improved in all 5 patients but disappeared completely in only 1. Conclusions Our experience suggests that l-dopa infusion has a positive effect on both motor complications and behavioral disorders. This treatment approach deserves further controlled studies. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is an iatrogenic disease developing during dopaminergic therapy. According to the data available in the literature, DDS develops in 3-4% of the Parkinson’s disease (PD) cases. DDS in PD is frequently accompanied by other impulse control disorders (ICD): punding, compulsive shopping, hypersexuality, overeating. 246 patients with PD, of whom 16 (6.4%) were found to have DDS, were examined. The patients’ age was 64±7.4 years. Women (n = 10) more often developed DDS than men (n = 6). The patients mainly suffered from the mixed form of the disease. Stages III and IV were diagnosed in 72 and 22%, respectively. The duration of PD was 12+2.6 years. In the PD patients with DDS, the quality-of-life indicators ranged from 19.8 to 90% (54+20.1%). The equivalent dose of levodopa is 1323.4+299 mg/day. DDS was concurrent with other types of ICD in 4 patients: panding in 2, compulsive shopping and punding in 1, and punding and hypersexuality. The doses of levodopa were corrected in patients receiving high doses of dopaminergic drugs. In the patients with DDS concurrent with punding or hypersexuality, the dose of dopaminergic receptor agonists was gradually reduced and subsequently discontinued.

Throughout the past decade it has been recognized that dopaminergic medication administered to remedy motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease is associated with an enhanced risk for impulse control disorders and related compulsive behaviors such as hobbyism, punding, and the dopamine dysregulation syndrome. These complications are relatively frequent, affecting 6-15.5% of patients, and they most often appear, or worsen, after initiation of dopaminergic therapy or dosage increase. Recently, impulse control disorders have also been associated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. Here we present a systematic overview of literature published between 2000 and January 2013 reporting impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease. We consider prevalence rates and discuss the functional neuroanatomy, the impact of dopamine-serotonin interactions, and the cognitive symptomatology associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease. Finally, perspectives for future research and management of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease are discussed.

Psychosis, impulse control disorders (e.g., pathological gambling and hypersexuality) and repetitive behaviors such as punding are known psychiatric complications of Parkinson's disease (PD). Impulsive, compulsive and repetitive behaviors are strongly associated with dopamine-replacement therapy. We present the case of a 58-year-old man with PD and a myriad of psychiatric symptoms. Concurrent psychosis, punding and pathological gambling developed more than six years after the introduction of pramipexole and ceased shortly after the addition of quetiapine and discontinuation of pramipexole. This report emphasizes the importance of monitoring for a wide array of psychiatric symptoms in patients on dopamine replacement therapy. RESUMO Psicose, transtornos do impulso (como jogo patológico e hipersexualidade) e comportamentos repetitivos como punding são complicações psiquiátricas conhecidas da doença de Parkinson. Comportamentos repetitivos, impulsivos e compulsivos são fortemente associados a terapia de reposição dopaminérgica. Nós apresentamos o caso de um homem de 58 anos com doença de Parkinson de início precoce e múltiplos sintomas psiquiátricos. Psicose, punding e jogo patológico surgiram mais de seis anos após a introdução de pramipexol e cessaram pouco após sua descontinuação e introdução de quetiapina. Nosso relato enfatiza a importância do monitoramento para uma ampla gama de sintomas psiquiatricos em pacientes com doença de parkinson em uso de terapia de reposição dopaminérgica.

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) including compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behaviors, and eating occur relatively frequently in Parkinson disease (PD) with at least one ICD identified in 14% of PD patients in a large, multicenter, observational study. ICDs behaviors range widely in severity but can lead to catastrophic consequences, including financial ruin, divorce, loss of employment, and increased health risks. The main risk factor for ICDs in PD is the use of Dopamine agonists (DAs) and discontinuation of the offending agent is considered first line treatment. However, many patients do not tolerate this intervention as consequence of increased motor and psychiatric disability or appearance of DA withdrawal syndrome. In this article, we review current management strategies and emerging new interventions for treatment of ICDs in PD. Pharmacological treatment should be individualized based on patient's unique neuropsychiatric profile, social support, medical comorbidities, tolerability and motor symptoms.

Objective: The aim of this multicenter, case-control study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICBs) in a cohort of patients with parkin -associated Parkinson disease (PD) compared to a group of patients without the mutation. Methods: We compared 22 patients with biallelic parkin mutations (parkin-PD) and 26 patients negative for parkin , PINK1 , DJ-1 , and GBA mutations (PD-NM), matched for age at onset, disease duration, levodopa, and dopamine agonist equivalent daily dose. A semistructured interview was used to diagnose each of the following ICBs: compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive buying, binge eating, punding, hobbyism, and compulsive medication use. The Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson9s Disease–Rating Scale (QUIP-RS) was adopted to rate ICB severity. Results: Frequency of patients with at least one ICB was comparable between parkin-PD and PD-NM. Nevertheless, when analyzing the distribution of specific ICBs, a higher frequency of compulsive shopping, binge eating, and punding/hobbyism was found in the parkin-PD group. Compared to PD-NM, parkin-PD patients with ICB had younger onset age and higher frequency of smokers; in 5 patients, ICB had predated PD onset. Total and partial (compulsive buying, compulsive sexual behavior, binge eating, hobbyism/punding) QUIP-RS scores were higher in patients with parkin-PD compared to patients with PD-NM. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of parkin mutations was associated with smoking status and higher QUIP-RS total score. Conclusions: Our data expand the parkin -associated phenotypic spectrum demonstrating higher frequency and severity of specific ICBs, and suggesting an association between the parkin genotype, smoking status, and ICB severity.

Punding is a stereotyped behavior characterized by an intense fascination with a complex, excessive, non-goal oriented, repetitive activity, associated with dopaminergic replacement therapy (DRT) in patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD) and with dopamine agonists in several conditions. We studied 25 PD patients with punding behaviors, and compared them to 130 PD controls. The psychiatric evaluation included: the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS); the SCales for Outcomes in PArkinson's disease-Psychiatric Complications (SCOPA-PC); the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version 11 (BIS-11); the Mood Disorder Questionnaire; the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). The occurrence of impulse control disorders (ICDs) was diagnosed through a psychiatric interview. Significantly more punding patients (96% vs. 68%; p

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), such as compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behavior, and eating, are a serious and increasingly recognized complication of dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Other impulsive-compulsive behaviors have been linked to dopaminergic medications; these include punding (stereotyped, repetitive, purposeless behaviors) and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS; compulsive medication overuse). ICDs have been most closely related to the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), particularly at higher dosages; in contrast, DDS is primarily associated with shorter-acting, higher-potency dopaminergic medications, such as apomorphine and levodopa. Risk factors for ICDs may include male sex; younger age; younger age at PD onset; a pre-PD history of ICD(s); personal or family history of substance abuse; bipolar disorder; gambling problems; and impulsive personality traits. The primary treatment of ICDs in PD is discontinuation of DA therapy. Not all patients can tolerate this, however, due to worsening motor symptoms and/or DA withdrawal syndrome (a severe, stereotyped drug withdrawal syndrome similar to that of other psychostimulants). While psychiatric medications are frequently used to treat ICDs in the general population, there is no empirical evidence to suggest that they are effective in PD. Given the paucity of treatment options and potentially serious consequences of ICDs in PD, it is critical for patients to be monitored closely for their development. As empirically validated treatments for ICDs emerge, it will also be important to examine their efficacy and tolerability in individuals with comorbid PD.

It has been previously well established that the use of dopaminergic agents in Parkinson's disease may contribute to behavioral disturbances such as dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), impulse control disorders (ICD), and punding. ICD and punding have been most commonly addressed by reducing dose or by discontinuing the use of a dopamine agonist. Treatment of DDS has proven more challenging, and to date there has been no standard approach. In this paper, we review a series of four patients who met criteria for DDS, who were all refractory to medication adjustments. The DDS symptoms responded by the addition of valproic acid in all cases.

We report on 8 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who experienced suddenly episodes of speech unrelated to the topic of conversation or wrote sentences unrelated to the context. During these episodes and later, unless pointed out, patients were unaware of the behavior. We called this phenomenon Unrelated Communication Interlude (UCI). All patients were male; half of them with impulse control disorders (punding, hypersexuality, or pathological gambling). Four patients reported sleepiness when the episodes of UCI occurred. There were no significant differences in age at examination, age of onset of PD, and neuropsychological tests score (Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, and Beck Depression Inventory) between patients with UCI and those without. To our knowledge, this is the first reported phenomena of such abnormal behavior in Parkinson's disease. UCI was considered as automatic behavior similar to that seen in narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. UCI might be occurring in relation to excessive daytime sleepiness in PD.

Introduction In Parkinson's disease, the degeneration of the dopaminergic system and the longstanding exposure to dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) may cause, in a group of vulnerable patients, dysregulation of the brain reward system. State of the arts These patients develop DRT-related compulsions, which include addiction to levodopa or dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), punding, and impulse control disorders (ICDs). ICDs or behavioral addiction reported in Parkinson's disease include pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive buying and binge eating. Although the underlying pathophysiology is still poorly understood, these behaviors are linked by their reward-based and repetitive nature. Such behaviors may result in devastating psychosocial impairment for the patients and are often hidden. Perspective and conclusions The recognition of these behaviors is important and allows a better clinical management. Although the limited data do not permit particular therapeutic strategies, some approaches are worth considering: DRT reduction, trials of non-dopaminergic medications and subthalamic chronic stimulation.

Male born 1948 suffers from Parkinson’s disease and is treatet with standard Levodope/Dopamin agonist combination. He develops dyskinesia, DOPA-dysregulation syndrome and bizarre behavior due to overdosing his prescribed medication. The resulting impulse control disorder, DDS and punding are discussed.

A 55-year-old male with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease developed three behavioral changes under combination therapy with selegiline, cabergoline and levodopa. Co-existent behaviors included severe pathological gambling, punding and novel skills in writing poetry (published poetry books). Brain [18F]fluorodopa PET imaging showed decreased tracer uptake in the striatum contralateral to the predominant motor symptoms, consistent with the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Uptake in the ventral striatum was markedly high. Brain MRI before and after behavioral changes showed no pathological findings. The patient was diagnosed as having Parkinson’s disease together with DSM-IV criteria-fulfilling pathological gambling and punding-like stereotyped behavior. There are no established criteria for the classification of emerged artistic creativity, although there are descriptions of the phenomenon in the literature. Inspired by the case, we conducted a preliminary survey – including 290 patients with Parkinson’s disease – exploring the possible relationship between creativity and impulsive-compulsive behaviors. The case, supported by the results of the survey, adds to the cumulative evidence of the association between dopaminergic medication and enhanced creativity, and suggests a possible linkage between increased artistic creativity and impulsive-compulsive behaviors in Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, it could be speculated that the high mesolimbic dopamine function might relate to the behavioral changes observed in this patient, and is suggestive of the overlapping neurobiological mechanisms of compulsive behaviors and artistic creativity.

Background There are limited data on the prevalence of impulsive–compulsive behaviors and subsyndromal impulsive–compulsive behaviors in Asian patients with Parkinson’s disease, who are treated with lower dosages of dopaminergic medications. Methods The recently-validated Questionnaire for Impulsive–Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease was administered to 200 consecutive patients attending a Malaysian university-based neurology clinic. Informant report was also systematically obtained. Results A high rate of Questionnaire positivity was found (35.0% by combined patient and informant report; 24.6% by patient report alone; 27.4% by informant report alone), despite usage of relatively low dosages of dopaminergic medications (mean/median total l -dopa equivalent units of 528/450 mg/day; mean/median agonist-only l -dopa equivalent units of 74/37 mg/day). Eating, sexual and punding or hobbyism behaviors were relatively common, while gambling and compulsive medication use occurred less frequently. Agreement between patient- and informant-reporting of impulsive–compulsive behaviors was moderate-to-fair (Kappa values ranging from 0.203 to 0.494). Factors associated with Questionnaire positivity on univariate analysis were male gender, younger age at Parkinson’s disease onset, longer disease duration, use of dopamine agonist or amantadine therapy, higher total l -dopa equivalent units and higher dopamine agonist-only l -dopa equivalent units. On multivariate analysis, male gender and longer disease duration independently predicted Questionnaire positivity. No association was found with cognitive or apathy scores. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Asian patients with Parkinson’s disease may be susceptible to dopaminergic medication-related side effects. The data here also contribute to the understanding of the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire for Impulsive–Compulsive Disorders.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition which requires gradually increasing doses of dopaminergic substances for adequate motor control. Some vulnerable patients increase their doses beyond those required for motor control. This may result in a pattern of compulsive drug taking which may be associated with typical behavioural changes which define dopaminergic dysregulation syndrome (DDS). This is frequently associated with impulse control disorders and a specific behavioural abnormality involving prolonged repetitive tasks, called punding. The pathophysiology of DDS likely involves a number of factors, including genetic and personality related risk factors, habit formation resulting from unpleasant OFF symptoms, fronto-striatal dysfunction and a sensitisation process due to repeated dopaminergic stimulation. Management includes attempts to reduce the dopaminergic dose; specific treatment options are currently unknown. Early detection and prevention are therefore essential.

Recently, impulse control and related disorders including punding and the dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) have been increasingly recognized in treated patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Especially the impulse control disorders (ICD) such as pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive eating and buying may have dramatic repercussions on family, personal and professional life. Drug replacement therapy (DRT) is believed to play an important role in the onset of these behavioral disturbances. Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) might be a therapeutic option for those patients with DRT-related behavior, it may also induce ICD. So far, little is known about the relationship between STN DBS and impulse control and related disorders. Our aim was to review the current knowledge on this relationship in PD patients. The available studies showed that stimulation of the STN is associated with both favorable and negative outcome in terms of impulse control and related disorders. Preoperative disorders may resolve or improve after STN DBS, but these can also worsen or show no change at all. Moreover, STN DBS can also reveal or even induce ICD. Possible explanations for this variability are proposed and suggestions for clinical management are given.

Dopamine replacement treatment with excessive or aberrant dopamine receptor stimulation can cause behavioral disturbances in Parkinson's disease, comprising dopamine dysregulation syndrome, punding, and impulse control disorders. Common impulse control disorders are compulsive buying, pathological gambling, binge eating, hypersexuality, and compulsive reckless driving.

Objective: To assess factors associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson disease (PD) using a multicenter case–control design. Methods: Patients enrolled in the DOMINION study, a multicenter study assessing the cross-sectional frequency of ICDs in PD, were eligible to participate in the case–control study. PD patients with and without an ICD (n ¼ 282 each) (compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behavior, and eating) were matched individually on age, gender, and dopamine agonist treatment. Subjects were assessed with a comprehensive neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive assessment battery. Results: ICD patients reported more functional impairment (p < 0.001); greater depressive (p < 0.0001), state (p < 0.0001), and trait (p < 0.0001) anxiety; greater obsessive–compulsive symptoms (p < 0.0001); higher novelty-seeking (p < 0.001) and impulsivity (p < 0.001); and differences in reward preference reflecting greater choice impulsivity (p < 0.05). Patients with multiple ICDs had greater dyskinesia scores compared to those with single ICDs. Interpretation: ICDs in PD are associated with multiple psychiatric and cognitive impairments, including affective and anxiety symptoms, as well as elevated obsessionality, novelty seeking, and impulsivity. These results highlight the importance of assessing multiple mental health domains in individuals with PD and ICDs, and suggest possible pathophysiological mechanisms and risk indicators for these disorders. ANN NEUROL 2011;69:986–996

Background: Punding (the display of stereotyped, repetitive behaviors) is a relatively recently discovered feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). Little is known about the prevalence and clinical characteristics of punding in PD. Methods: In this review, four large scientific databases were comprehensively searched for literature in relation to punding prevalence and clinical correlates in the context of PD. Results: Prevalence was found to vary greatly (between 0.34 to 14%), although there were large disparities in study populations, assessment methods, and criteria. We observed an association between punding, dopaminergic medications, and impulse control disorder. Other characteristics, which may be more common among punders, include a higher severity of dyskinesia, younger age of disease onset, longer disease duration, and male gender. Discussion: More research in large clinical datasets is required in many areas before conclusions are drawn. The pathophysiology behind the punding phenomenon is also poorly understood at present, rendering it difficult to develop targeted therapy. The current mainstay of treatment is the reduction in the dose of dopaminergic medications, the evidence for other suggested therapies being purely empirical. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society

Introduction: Impulse control disorders (ICD), including hypersexuality, compulsive gambling, buying, eating, shopping and dopaminergic medication use, have been reported to occur frequently in Parkinson's disease (PD). Punding (complex, repetitive, excessive, non-goal oriented behaviours) has also been described. As patients may not report such behaviours to their neurologist. ICD and punding appear to be under-recognised in clinical practice. Method: We prospectively screened 216 consecutive patients (102 men, age 77 ± 5 years) with idiopathic PD. Patients and their caregivers were encouraged to complete a questionnaire with six questions on symptoms related to ICD and punding. In addition, we obtained a random sample matched by age and sex of 216 patients with idiopathic PD, and retrospective analysis of symptoms related to ICD and punding who had been referred spontaneously. Results: Only 20 cases (9.26%) of 216 patients with PD who answered the questionnaire prospectively presented ICD and / or punding, some involving more than one type of repetitive behaviour and reward-seeking: 7 hypersexuality (3.24%), 2 pathological gambling (0.93%), 4 compulsive buying (1.85%), 2 compulsive eating (0.93%), 8 punding (3.70%) and 1 abuse of medication (0.46%). Of the retrospective sample of 216 age- and gender-matched patients, only 5 (2.31%) had spontaneously mentioned these symptoms: 2 hypersexuality (0.93%), 2 pathological gambling (0.93%) and 1 punding (0.46%). Conclusions: Patients with PD do not spontaneously admit the presence of ICD or punding and these behaviours appear to be under-recognised in clinical practice. A screening questionnaire is needed to ensure their detection. Resumen: Introducción: Los trastornos del control de impulsos (TCI) que incluyen hipersexualidad, ludopatía, compulsión por comer, comprar y consumir fármacos dopaminérgicos, han sido descritos en la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) así como el punding (comportamiento estereotipado que comprende rituales motores automáticos, sin finalidad). Dado que los pacientes no suelen referir a su neurólogo estas conductas, el TCI y el punding están infradiagnosticados en la práctica clínica. Método: Prospectivamente a 216 pacientes consecutivos (102 hombres, edad media 77 ± 5 años) con EP idiopática se les preguntó sistemáticamente sobre síntomas relacionados con TCI y punding. Además, se obtuvo una muestra al azar apareada por edad y sexo, de 216 pacientes con EP idiopática, y se revisó retrospectivamente la presencia de síntomas relacionados con TCI y punding que habían sido referidos espontáneamente. Resultados: Veinte casos (9,26%) de 216 pacientes con EP que contestaron el cuestionario de forma prospectiva presentaron TCI y/o punding, algunos de ellos con más de un tipo de conducta repetitiva: 7 hipersexualidad (3,24%), 2 ludopatía (0,93%), 4 compra compulsiva (1,85%), 2 atracones (0,93%), 8 punding (3,70%) y uno abuso de medicación (0,46%). De la muestra retrospectiva de 216 pacientes apareados por edad y sexo, sólo 5 pacientes (2,31%) habían referido de forma espontánea estos síntomas: 2 hipersexualidad (0,93%), 2 juego patológico (0,93%) y uno punding (0,46%). Conclusiones: :Los pacientes con EP no admiten espontáneamente la presencia de TCI y punding, por lo que estas conductas están infradiagnosticadas. Para garantizar su detección es necesaria la realización de una entrevista dirigida. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, Impulse control disorders, Punding, Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, Trastorno del control de los impulsos, Comportamiento estereotipado

Levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD) can cause a wide range of non-motor manifestations including poor impulse control and stereotyped behaviors. Punding is a term used to describe complex prolonged, purposeless and repetitive behavior in patients under dopamine replacement therapy. We report a 64-year-old PD patient who, concomitantly with self-increment of levodopa, developed punding behaviors in association with dopamine dysregulation syndrome. Gradual reduction of dopaminergic medication partially alleviated repetitive behavior over time.

Neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an established treatment for motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson disease (PD), although concerns exist regarding the safety of this therapy in terms of cognitive and psychiatric adverse effects. The basal ganglia are considered to be part of distributed cortico-subcortical networks that are involved in the selection, facilitation and inhibition of movements, emotions, behaviors and thoughts. The STN has a central role in these networks, probably providing a global 'no-go' signal. The behavioral and cognitive effects observed following STN high-frequency stimulation (HFS) probably reflect the intrinsic role of this nucleus in nonmotor functional domains. Nevertheless, postoperative behavioral changes are seldom caused by such stimulation alone. PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with motor, cognitive, behavioral and autonomic symptoms. The pattern of neurodegeneration and expression of these symptoms are highly variable across individuals. The preoperative neuropsychiatric state can be further complicated by sensitization phenomena resulting from long-term dopaminergic treatment, which include impulse control disorders, punding, and addictive behaviors (dopamine dysregulation syndrome). Finally, personality traits, the social environment, culture and learned behaviors might be important determinants explaining why behavioral symptoms differ between patients after surgery. Here, we summarize the neuropsychiatric changes observed after STN HFS and try to disentangle their various etiologies.

Punding is a stereotyped behavior characterized by an intense fascination with a complex, excessive, nongoal oriented, repetitive activity. Men tend to repetitively tinker with technical equipment such as radio sets, clocks, watches and car engines, the parts of which may be analyzed, arranged, sorted and cataloged but rarely put back together. Women, in contrast, incessantly sort through their handbags, tidy continuously, brush their hair or polish their nails. Punders are normally aware of the inapposite and obtuse nature of the behavior; however, despite the consequent self-injury, they do not stop such behavior. The most common causes of punding are dopaminergic replacement therapy in patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD) and cocaine and amphetamine use in addicts. The vast majority of information about punding comes from PD cases. A critical review of these cases shows that almost all afflicted patients (90%) were on treatment with drugs acting mainly on dopamine receptors D1 and D2, whereas only three cases were reported in association with selective D2 and D3 agonists. Epidemiological considerations and available data from animal models suggest that punding, drug-induced stereotypies, addiction and dyskinesias all share a common pathophysiological process. Punding may be related to plastic changes in the ventral and dorsal striatal structures, including the nucleus accumbens, and linked to psychomotor stimulation and reward mechanisms. Possible management guidelines are proposed.

There is growing awareness of impulsive-compulsive spectrum behaviors (ICBs) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). These include pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping, binge eating, punding and compulsive use of DRT, or dopamine dysregulation syndrome. In PD, difficulties exist in separating the effects of DRT from the underlying disease process and aberrant dopaminergic systems in determining the aetiology of ICBs. Recent reports of ICBs associated with dopamine agonist use for conditions other than PD may suggest a significant etiological role for these medications, but currently published cases thus far lack pathological confirmation of diagnoses. We present three cases of pathologically confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy who developed ICBs in association with dopamine agonist use. Pathological comparisons between these three cases and other case series of progressive supranuclear palsy are made.

Repetitive behavior has been increasingly reported in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. This study evaluates the effect of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment on existing repetitive behavior in three PD patients who underwent unilateral STN DBS surgery at the University of Florida Movement Disorders Center. No significant change in repetitive behavior was noted acutely post-surgery; however, all cases were participating less in their repetitive behavior over time. In this series, DBS surgery seemed to have no acute effect on repetitive behavior. It is difficult to ascertain whether DBS improves repetitive behavior chronically because of confounding factors in our three cases.

In this paper, we tentatively bring together the psychiatric, neurological and addiction perspectives on the impulsive-compulsive spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders, in order to understand the pathophysiology of impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease. In an attempt to try to pool the various levels of information we will therefore focus on three disorders within the impulse-compulsive spectrum, i.e., obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), ICDs in Parkinson's disease, and cocaine seeking behaviour. Whereas there are large differences between these three domains, each with their own nomenclature, hypotheses and study results, they share the focus on an imbalance within and between the frontal-striatal circuits as underlying substrate for the behaviours. For each disorder, we summarize the results from recent studies in order to describe in which way alterations in the frontal-striatal circuits contribute to the phenotype. The phenomenological overlap between ICDs in Parkinson's disease, addiction and OCD needs further investigation, since better understanding of the overlapping and differentiating characteristics will contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disturbances and treatment alternatives.

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) has emerged as a recognized complication of dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This syndrome is characterized by increased addictive patterns of behaviour in relation to DRT use, and results in impulse control disorders (ICDs), including compulsive gambling, compulsive shopping, compulsive eating, hypersexuality and punding (repetitive and excessive, aimless behaviour). Such symptoms can have devastating social, occupational and financial effects on the patient and the carer. The clinical manifestation of DDS is often not straightforward: the patient may not have the insight to recognize symptoms, and the symptoms of the syndrome do not always occur in a recognized pattern of disease progression and may be expressed individually. Clinical staff may find the assessment of DDS in clinical practice very difficult. It is important to gain evidence from carers, but this may not always be easy due to a sense of loyalty or feelings of guilt and shame. This article aims to describe the syndrome and highlight the psychosocial issues related to DDS, and the medical and surgical management options available, as well as developments in psychological therapies.

There is an increasing awareness that impulse control disorders (ICDs), including compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behavior and eating, can occur as a complication of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, other impulsive or compulsive disorders including dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) and punding are reported. Case reporting and prospective studies documented an association between ICDs and the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), and to a lesser extent levodopa use, while DDS occurs with higher dosages of levodopa or short-acting DAs. Data suggest that risk factors for an ICD may include male sex, younger age or younger age at PD onset, a pre-PD history of ICD symptoms, personal or family history of substance abuse or bipolar disorder, and a personality style characterized by impulsiveness. It is important that PD patients be aware that DA use may lead to the development of one or more ICDs, and clinicians monitor patients as part of routine clinical care.

There is increasing awareness that impulse control disorders (ICDs), including pathological gambling, hyper-sexuality, compulsive eating and buying, can occur as a complication of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, other impulsive or compulsive disorders have been reported to occur, including dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) and punding. Case reports and prospective studies have reported an association between ICDs and the use of dopamine receptor agonists at higher doses, and DDS has been associated with l -dopa at higher doses or short-acting dopamine receptor agonists. Risk factors for ICDs include male sex, younger age or younger age at PD onset, a pre-PD history of ICD symptoms, history of substance use or bipolar disorder, and a personality profile characterized by impulsiveness. The management of clinically significant ICD symptoms should consist of modifications to dopamine replacement therapy, particularly dopamine receptor agonists, which is usually associated with an improvement of ICDs. There is no empirical evidence supporting the use of psychiatric drugs for ICDs in PD. Functional neuroimaging studies such as functional MRI and PET can investigate in vivo the neurobiological basis of these pathological behaviours.

We aimed to assess whether allelic variants of dopamine receptor, glutamate receptor, and serotonin transporter genes are associated with the appearance of impulse control and related behaviors (ICRB) in Parkinson's disease (PD) with dopamine replacement therapy (DRT). We surveyed ICRB in consecutive Korean patients with PD who were treated with stable DRT using modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview over a period of 4 months. In the 404 patients who completed the interview and the 559 Korean healthy normal controls, genotyping was performed for variants of the DRD3 p.S9G, DRD2 Taq1A, GRIN2B c.366C>G, c.2664C>T and c.-200T>G, and the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). Behavioral abnormalities suggestive of ICRB including compulsive buying, gambling, sexual behavior and eating, and punding, were present in 14.4% of the patients. Variants of DRD2 and 5-HTTLPR were not associated with the risk of developing ICRB. However, the AA genotype of DRD3 p.S9G and the CC genotype of GRIN2B c.366C>G were more frequent in patients with ICRB than in nonaffected patients (odds ratio [OR] = 2.21, P = 0.0094; and 2.14, P = 0.0087, after adjusting for age and sex). After controlling for clinical variables in the multivariate analysis, carriage of either AA genotype of DRD3 or CC genotype of GRIN2B was identified as an independent risk factor for ICRB (adjusted OR: 2.57, P = 0.0087). Variants of DRD3 p.S9G and GRIN2B c.366C>G may be associated with the appearance of ICRB in PD.

Antiparkinson therapy can be the primary cause of a range of nonmotor symptoms that include a set of complex disinhibitory psychomotor pathologies and are linked by their repetitive, reward or incentive-based natures. These behaviors relate to aberrant or excessive dopamine receptor stimulation and encompass impulse control disorders (ICDs), punding, and the dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS). Common ICDs include pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive eating, and compulsive buying. This review focuses on the phenomenology, epidemiology, and methods to identify and rate these disorders. The management of dopaminergic drug-related compulsive behaviors is discussed in the light of the current understanding of the neurobiological substrate of these disorders.

As no comprehensive assessment instrument for impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) exists, the aim of this study was to design and assess the psychometric properties of a self-administered screening questionnaire for ICDs and other compulsive behaviors in PD. The Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease (QUIP) has 3 sections: Section 1 assesses four ICDs (involving gambling, sexual, buying, and eating behaviors), Section 2 other compulsive behaviors (punding, hobbyism, and walkabout), and Section 3 compulsive medication use. For validation, a convenience sample of 157 PD patients at 4 movement disorders centers first completed the QUIP, and then was administered a diagnostic interview by a trained rater blinded to the QUIP results. A shortened instrument (QUIP-S) was then explored. The discriminant validity of the QUIP was high for each disorder or behavior (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [ROC AUC]: gambling = 0.95, sexual behavior = 0.97, buying = 0.87, eating = 0.88, punding = 0.78, hobbyism = 0.93, walkabout = 0.79). On post hoc analysis, the QUIP-S ICD section had similar properties (ROC AUC: gambling = 0.95, sexual behavior = 0.96, buying = 0.87, eating = 0.88). When disorders/behaviors were combined, the sensitivity of the QUIP and QUIP-S to detect an individual with any disorder was 96 and 94%, respectively. Scores on the QUIP appear to be valid as a self-assessment screening instrument for a range of ICDs and other compulsive behaviors that occur in PD, and a shortened version may perform as well as the full version. A positive screen should be followed by a comprehensive, clinical interview to determine the range and severity of symptoms, as well as need for clinical management.

Clinical symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) comprise both motor and non-motor symptoms. In this disease, synucleinopathic-induced, nigral dopamine deficiency-related dysfunction of the basal ganglia is held responsible for the characteristic levodopa-responsive motor signs and symptoms (bradykinesia, hypokinesia, rigidity), known as parkinsonism and essential for clinical diagnosis in PD, as well as subtle motivational and cognitive dysfunctions. Some motor symptoms, such as tremor and postural instability, and most non-motor symptoms, however, are not fully levodopa-responsive, and suggested to manifest extranigral pathology. These symptoms include autonomic, sleep, sensory and neuropsychiatric symptoms, which in some cases may precede the first signs of motor parkinsonism, closely correlating with the progression of Lewy body pathology in PD. The recognition and treatment of these mostly under-recognized and under-treated symptoms is important, as these symptoms might have more impact on the quality of life in PD patients as compared to motor parkinsonism. On top of this, recognition of these manifestations in the prodromal phase of motor PD is critical to early diagnosis and treatment, as disease-modifying drugs, once identified, should be initiated as soon as possible, preferably in this premotor phase of the disease. On top of this, (non)motor extranigral symptoms in PD might also be of iatrogenic origin, whether directly as indirectly. During conventional, oral, dopaminomimetic treatment, the progressive loss of striatal dopaminergic nerve endings with the loss of cerebral dopamine storage capacity, renders the cerebral dopamine level fully dependent of the plasma levodopa levels, thus changing dopaminergic receptor stimulation from continuous to a more pulsatile pattern. Supposedly due to this process, neuroplastic changes in (sub)cortical dopaminergic pathways might cause therapeutic response fluctuations: motor and nonmotor fluctuations with anxiety- and panic-attacks and/or mood swings, dyskinesias and punding. Finally, dopaminomimetic pharmacotherapy may also induce extranigral non-motor drug-related direct adverse effects, such as impulse control disorders. In this article, non-motor signs and symptoms of extranigral PD-related pathology will be discussed, as well as the (suggested) criteria for diagnosis and treatment. Of course, also the recognition of the signs and symptoms of the prodromal (premotor) phase, suggestive for the presence of the PD, will be discussed. Iatrogenic non-motor symptoms, though, will not be further discussed.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at risk of a number of compulsive behaviors associated with dopaminergic drugs. W e report one case of unusual compulsive shopping in idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) in relation to dopami nergic therapy. The m echanism explaining the behavior in this case is likely related to increased dopami nergic stimulation of non-motor basal ganglia loops. It suggests that perhaps many dopaminergic medications can be associated with compulsive behaviors. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at risk of pathological behaviors associated with dopaminergic drugs, most commonly dopamine agonists. Pathological gambling,(1,2) compulsive shopping,(3,4) hypersexuality,(5,6) binge eating and punding (stereotyped, prolonged, pur- poseless motor behaviors often characterized by repetitive manipulation and sorting of small objects)(7) have been described in relation to dopaminergic therapy. Labels for compulsive shopping vary. Uncontrolled buying, addictive buying, addictive consumption, excessive buying, shopaholism, and spendaholism all have been used to describe this overwhelming need to buy.(8) Most of all, ''compulsive'' shopping and ''uncontrolled'' buying emphasize a lack of control over such behaviour.(9) While not included in the fourth edition of the Diag- nostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), compulsive buying disorder (CBD) was included in DSM-III-R as an example of an "impulse control disorder not otherwise specified".(10) Less frequent and less well-reported are occurrences of compulsive shopping in conjunction with dopaminergic therapy. We report one case of unusual compulsive shopping in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) in relation to dopaminergic therapy.

In the past decade, impulse control disorders, punding, and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (which we refer to collectively as disinhibitory psychopathologies) have been increasingly recognized in treated patients with Parkinson's disease. Practicing neurologists must understand these problems to limit potential harm. In this article, we summarize current knowledge regarding these behavioral disorders, including phenomenology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment.

Dopamine agonists (DAs) have proven efficacy as monotherapy in early Parkinson's disease (PD) for preventing motor complications such as dyskinesia and as adjunct therapy as the disease progresses. Further, it is increasingly evident that at least some DAs may provide additional benefits, such as reduction in depressive symptoms and treatment of refractory tremor. Different side-effect profiles have been associated with levodopa and ergot or non-ergot DA treatment, such as sudden onset of sleep, reduced impulse control, hallucination, and cardiovascular fibrosis. This paper discusses the evidence for specific associations between particular treatments and side effects as well as the clinical implications for patient care. Ultimately, the choice depends on the risk-benefit assessment as it applies to the individual patient's clinical profile and the physician's preference.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, postural instability, and resting tremor. Increasingly, Parkinson's disease has been associated with a broad spectrum of non-motor symptoms, such as olfactory loss, sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, psychosis, depression, anxiety, and apathy. In addition, a minority of Parkinson's disease patients develop compulsive behaviors while receiving dopamine-replacement therapy, including medication hoarding, pathological gambling, binge eating, hyperlibidinous behavior, compulsive shopping, and punding. These behaviors may result in psychosocial impairment for patients and therapeutic challenges for clinicians. This article reviews the anatomic substrates, behavioral spectrum, associated factors, and potential treatments for dopamine-replacement therapy-related compulsions in Parkinson's disease.

"Punding" is a stereotypical motor behavior characterized by an intense fascination with repetitive handling and examining of objects. Since its first description in amphetamine and cocaine addicts, data on punding has only derived from studies performed in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Punding is classifiable as the most severe form of Repetitive Reward-Seeking Behaviours (RRSB) syndromes. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and phenomelogy of RRSB acutely induced by cocaine in order to determine the prevalence, severity and distinctive features discriminating "punders" from "non-punders". A consecutive sample of 50 cocaine addicts received a clinical psychiatric interview. RRSB diagnosis and severity were assessed using a modified version of a previous published questionnaire designed to identify punding in patients with PD. In the present series, 38% of the cocaine addicts met the proposed diagnostic criteria for a RRSB and 8% were considered punders. Subjects with vs. without RRSB did not differ in terms of sex ratio, age, education, occupation, predisposing habits, duration of cocaine use, hours of sleep, comorbid psychiatric disorders, and concomitant use of other drugs. These results and the observation that in the majority of cases RRSB started soon after first drug intake, strongly suggest that an underlying unknown predisposition led to the development of these behaviors. In conclusion, RRSB and punding is much more common than has been described previously and the resultant social disability is often overlooked.

Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) patients have psychosocial issues that create more challenges than for older patients. They are diagnosed during the most productive years of their lives, live longer with the disease, and are at increased risk for non-motor symptoms of PD. This article describes issues that health care professionals may need to address, including anxiety, depression, cognitive disturbances, breakdown of relationships, and employment. These psychosocial problems require as much attention as the medical problems; they negatively impact the emotional stability of both the patient and family, interfering with all relationships. YOPD patients can benefit from a team approach to their treatment.

Recent studies have linked dopamine agonist (DA) usage with the development of impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Little is known about optimal management strategies or the long-term outcomes of affected patients. To report on the clinical interventions and long-term outcomes of PD patients who developed an ICD after DA initiation. Subjects contacted by telephone for a follow-up interview after a mean time period of 29.2 months. They were administered a modified Minnesota Impulse Disorder Interview for compulsive buying, gambling, and sexuality, and also self-rated changes in their ICD symptomatology. Baseline and follow-up dopamine replacement therapy use was recorded and verified by chart review. Of 18 subjects, 15 (83.3%) participated in the follow-up interview. At follow-up, patients were receiving a significantly lower DA levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD) (Z = -3.1, P = 0.002) and a higher daily levodopa dosage (Z = -1.9, P = 0.05), but a similar total LEDD dosage (Z = -0.47, P = 0.64) with no changes in Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor score (Z = -1.3, P = 0.19). As part of ICD management, 12 (80.0%) patients discontinued or significantly decreased DA treatment, all of whom experienced full or partial remission of ICD symptoms by self-report, and 10 (83.3%) of whom no longer met diagnostic criteria for an ICD. For PD patients who develop an ICD in the context of DA treatment, discontinuing or significantly decreasing DA exposure, even when offset by an increase in levodopa treatment, is associated with remission of or significant reduction in ICD behaviors without worsening in motor symptoms.

Parkinson's disease is a common condition, usually treated by dopaminergic agents, both ergot and non-ergot. Many behavioural abnormalities are associated with such usage, including impulse control disorders (ICDs), dopamine dysregulation syndrome and 'punding'. Pathological gambling, a form of ICD, comprises persistent and maladaptive gambling of various types that disrupts personal, family or occupational activity. Pathological gambling may be associated with other abnormal actions such as pathological shopping, hoarding and hypersexuality. The incidence varies widely from study to study but may be up to 7% of users of dopaminergic agents. Recognition of this problem has led drug regulatory agencies to add precautions concerning pathological gambling to official drug information for the entire class of antiparkinsonian medications. The literature is not entirely consistent and opinions differ greatly, but pramipexole (a dopamine D2 and D3 agonist), and perhaps ropinirole (also a D2/D3 agonist), may be especially likely to be associated with pathological gambling, although the precise nature of the relationship is unclear. Treatment involves reducing the dose of the medication or switching to another medication; unfortunately, the Parkinson's disease may worsen. The mechanism of this adverse effect is believed to be excessive dopaminergic stimulation but probably not specifically involving D3 receptors. A parallel to addictive behaviour with stimulant drugs has been noted.

A range of behaviors presumed to be related to dopaminergic medications have been recently recognized in Parkinson's disease (PD). We evaluated 50 consecutive cognitively intact PD patients on stable dopamine agonist and levodopa therapy and 100 healthy controls for compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive buying, or intermittent explosive disorders assessed by the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview (MIDI), pathological gambling (South Oaks Gambling Screen, SOGS), impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), compulsivity (Maudsley obsessional-compulsive inventory), and depression scores (Geriatric Depression Scale). Overall 28% PD (14/50) and 20% healthy controls (20/100) reported at least one abnormal behavior at MIDI or pathological SOGS score. PD patients had higher scores than controls for impulsivity (P = 0.006), compulsivity (P < 0.001), and depression (P < 0.001). There was no correlation between impulsivity, compulsivity, and depression scores in PD. Male gender and higher impulsivity score, but not dose and kind of dopaminergic medications, were associated in PD with increased probability of impulsive disorders at MIDI. Impulse control disorders are also common in the control population. Individual susceptibility factors, such as high impulsivity and depression, underline abnormal behaviors in PD patients treated with stable dopaminergic therapy.