Dopamine dysregulation syndrome in Parkinson's disease patients with unsatisfactory switching from immediate to extended release pramipexole: A further clue to incentive sensitization mechanisms?

Issue title: Relationships among cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Solla, Paolo | Cannas, Antonino | Corona, Marta | Marrosu, Maria Giovanna | Marrosu, Francesco

Affiliations: Movement Disorders Center, Institute of Neurology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy | MS Center, Institute of Neurology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Paolo Solla, Institute of Neurology – University of Cagliari, SS 554 Bivio per Sestu, 09040 Monserrato, Italy. Tel.: +39 070 51096656; Fax: +39 070 51096497; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: A small proportion of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), chronically under dopamine replacement therapy, may undergo an addiction-like behavioral disturbance, named dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS). This behavioral disorder is characterized by the increase of doses beyond those required for motor control, and its management remains difficult; thus, early recognition and careful monitoring of at-risk individuals are crucial. We report the cases of two PD patients with a previous unsatisfactory switching from an immediate release (IR) to an extended release (ER) pramipexole formulation who developed DDS. PD patients unsatisfactorily switched from an IR to an ER formulation of dopamine agonists should be considered as at-risk individuals for DDS development.

Keywords: Dopamine dysregulation syndrome, Parkinson's disease, dopamine agonists, short-acting drugs

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-129026

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 563-566, 2013