Predictors of impulsivity and reward seeking behavior with dopamine agonists.
Three hundred consecutive patients taking DA either for Parkinson's disease (PD, 207), restless legs syndrome (RLS, 89), or both (4) were interviewed about changes in gambling, spending, sexual activity, or other impulsive activities subsequent to DA. Regression models identified risk factors for impulsivity. Overall, 19.7% reported any increased impulsivity: 30 gambling, 26 spending, 11 sexual activity, and 1 wanton traveling. Only 11/59 felt the change was deleterious. Increased impulsivity correlated with a younger age (p=0.01), larger doses of DA (p<0.001), and PD, as opposed to RLS (p<0.01), but this lost significance after correcting for dose (p=0.09). Increased impulsivity is common but usually not deleterious.
Ondo
William G
WG
Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Ste 1801, Houston, TX 77030, USA. wondo@bcm.tmc.edu
Lai
Dejian
D
D000367:Age Factors; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D012201:Reward; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D018491:Dopamine Agonists