Mayo Clinic researchers found that dopamine agonists used in treating Parkinson's disease result in impulse control disorders in as many as 22 percent of patients. Mayo Clinic first reported on this topic in 2005. The 2005 study linked dopamine agonists to impulse control behaviors such as compulsive gambling and hyper-sexuality. In this video, lead author Anhar Hassan, M.B., B. Ch, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, explains this follow-up study. The recent study found that patients who are taking a higher dose of these types of medications are at a higher risk to develop these behaviors. Reducing or stopping the medication usually resolves the compulsive behavior.
