Parkinson's drugs found to boost compulsive gambling or sex addiction

Published on Monday 10 May 2010 22:17

DRUGS used to treat Parkinson's disease can turn people into compulsive gamblers or sex-addicts, research suggests.

Scientists identified "impulse control disorders" in 13.6 per cent of more than 3,000 patients being treated for Parkinson's in the US and Canada.

Gambling was a problem for 5 per cent of patients, while 5.7 per cent engaged in compulsive buying and 4.3 per cent in binge-eating. Sex addiction was reported in 3.5 per cent of the group.

The disorders were more common in individuals taking drugs that increased the effects of the brain chemical dopamine.

The findings were reported today in the journal Archives of Neurology.

Dr Daniel Weintraub, from the University of Pennsylvania in the US, wrote: "Dopamine agonist treatment in Parkinson's disease is associated with a two to 3.5-fold increased odds of an impulse control disorder.

"This association represents a drug class relationship across impulse control disorders. The association of other variables with impulse control disorders suggest a complex relationship that requires additional investigation to optimise prevention and treatment strategies."