Episode 68: Dopamine Agonists – Impulse Control Disorders and Gambling in Parkinson’s Therapy

This week on The Tox Lab, we’re exploring dopamine agonists and their role in the development of impulse-related conditions such as gambling disorder, hypersexuality, and hobbyism.We cover a couple of case studies where dopamine agonists have led to these behavioural changes before discussing a review paper that examines the role of these medications in the development of addiction and gambling disorder.Finally, we turn to the potential legal implications and discuss a High Court judgement examining a breach of duty following the development of impulse control disorder and psychosis during dopamine agonist therapy, and the importance of counselling patients about these risks.Join us as we explore how dopaminergic therapies can influence behaviour, and the clinical and legal considerations that arise when pharmacology intersects with addiction and impulse control.Hope you enjoy!Links to the papers we discussed:https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2021/02120/pathological_gambling_in_a_patient_on_piribedil__a.46.aspx https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40290-022-00453-9 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2880944/ https://vlex.co.uk/vid/hazel-kennedy-v-dr-841086105 Disclaimer: All opinions are our own.Find us on instagram: @the_tox_labEmail us here: [email protected]