Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Ole Isacson: Development of New Therapies for Parkinson's Disease
Published on: April 29, 2007
Sleep attacks and dopamine agonists for Parkinson's disease: what is currently known?
Theresa A Zesiewicz1, Robert A Hauser
1Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center and Department of Neurology, University of South Florida, Tampa General Healthcare, Tampa, Florida 33606, USA.
Abstract:
The aetiology of sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease is multifactorial. Medications, the disease process and underlying sleep disorders may contribute to sleepiness in patients with the disease. Somnolence, excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks appear to be more common in patients with Parkinson's disease who are treated with dopamine receptor agonists than in those who are treated with other antiparkinsonian agents, although virtually all dopaminergic antiparkinsonian medications may contribute to sleepiness. Somnolence caused by dopamine agonists may be dose related and occurs most frequently during the dose-escalation phase. Somnolence may also emerge or worsen after a period of time on a stable dose. Patients with Parkinson's disease and caregivers should be informed about the risk of sleepiness and sleep attacks associated with dopaminergic medications and the potential implications for driving safety.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Narcolepsy
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
