Description (reporting the actual words used in written letters) of the neuropsychological and psychopathological modifications produced by dopaminergic treatment in a young patient with Parkinson's disease.
Although it is an undeniable fact that dopaminergic therapy has greatly improved the quality of life and prognosis of patients with Parkinson's disease, various and serious adverse events correlated to dopaminergic drugs are not uncommon. Among these, those of neuropsychological and psychopathological nature are of particular importance, being capable of causing an upheaval in the basic personality of the patient. To this regard, the authors report the actual words of a patient himself that are far more convincing that any considerations we may express. In our opinion, the overwhelming impact of dopaminergic treatment on the psychopathological and neuropsychological equilibrium of all parkinsonian patients should unfailingly be carefully evaluated and pondered, particularly in the early onset forms of the disease.
Cannas
Antonino
A
Department of Neurology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Solla
Paolo
P
Floris
Gianluca
G
Tacconi
Paolo
P
Fulgheri
Patrizia
P
Congia
Socrate
S
Spissu
Andrea
A
D000328:Adult; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009484:Neuropsychology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011599:Psychopathology
D015259:Dopamine Agents