Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings (PrAnCER): A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits
Published on: August 12, 2019
Increase in body weight after pramipexole treatment in Parkinson's disease
Hatice Kumru1, Joan Santamaria, Francesc Valldeoriola
1Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer , Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Body weight changes occur during the clinical course of Parkinson's disease (PD) and with surgical treatment, but the effect of dopaminergic treatment on weight is unknown. Body mass index (BMI), Hamilton depression scale score (HDS), and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (UPRS-III) were measured before and 3 months after starting pramipexole in 28 PD patients. Pramipexole produced a significant weight increase, as well as motor and mood improvement (P <0.001). HDS and BMI changes were mildly related (P = 0.05). A direct effect of pramipexole on limbic D(3) receptors involved in the control of feeding may be responsible for weight gain in PD.
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 Disease l: Introduction
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients