Pathological gambling secondary to dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson's disease

Psychiatry Res. 2006 Nov 15;144(2-3):241-4. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2006.04.017. Epub 2006 Oct 2.

Abstract

We describe six patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and pathological gambling. All patients started gambling after the onset of PD and initiation or increase of treatment with dopaminergic therapy. The fact that pathological behaviour disappeared as medication was ended or decreased suggests that an elaborate behavioural manifestation could be related to dopamine tone in patients with Parkinson's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Dopamine Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gambling / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists