Parkinson's Drugs Linked to Compulsive Behaviors

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The patients who received two kinds of Parkinson's drugs -- levodopa and dopamine agonists -- were more likely to suffer from the apparent side effects. Sixteen percent of those who used both drugs showed signs of compulsive behavior, compared to 6 percent of those who just used one.

The link between the drugs and the behavior isn't clear. "There's probably some kind of underlying susceptibility," Voon said. "Whether it's an individual [issue] or Parkinson's-related is a separate question."

One potential explanation lies in the actions of dopamine, a brain chemical that sends a "reward" signal to the brain and assists with movement and balance.

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If they work properly, Parkinson's drugs adjust dopamine levels to help patients fend the instability caused by the disease. But it's also possible "that the dopamine reward system in the brain is stimulated by these drugs," leading to compulsive behavior, said Paul R. Sanberg, director of the University of South Florida's Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair.

What to do? There's no reason for Parkinson's patients to panic, Voon said. The side effects affect only a small proportion of patients, "and the majority of people do fine."

Still, she said, there's reason to carefully monitor some patients, especially those who have a history of alcoholism and are risk-takers. "If you see those factors, it is possible that person may be more prone to developing these behaviors. Following them carefully would make a lot of sense."

More information

For more on Parkinson's disease, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov ).

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