[Successful treatment of depression in a Parkinson disease patient with bupropion]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation
Published on: July 16, 2014
A F Leentjens1, F R Verhey, F W Vreeling
1Afd. Psychiatrie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Maastricht. a.leentjens@np.unimaas.nl
Abstract:
A 70-year-old female patient with Parkinson's disease was admitted to hospital with a medication-resistant depression. Electroconvulsion therapy was considered indicated, but it was decided to try treatment with bupropion chloride first. This resulted in a quick and complete remission of depressive symptoms, without any negative effects on motor symptoms. Bupropion has a unique mechanism of action: inhibition of the presynaptic reuptake of dopamine in addition to noradrenergic activity. Furthermore, it lacks the negative adverse effects on the extrapiramidal symptoms, that may be a problem if other antidepressants are used in the treatment. Bupropion is useful as an antidepressant in specific patient groups, notably patients with Parkinson's disease.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology

