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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:54
Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: August 10, 2012
Problematic gambling on dopamine agonists: Not such a rarity
Katherine A Grosset1, Graeme Macphee, Guru Pal
1Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. dgrosset@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Summary
Pathological gambling affects 4.4% of Parkinson's disease patients on anti-Parkinson medication. This adverse effect is linked to dopamine agonist therapy, with 8% of patients on these drugs developing gambling issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dopamine agonist therapy is used for Parkinson's disease.
- Excessive gambling is a known potential adverse effect of dopamine agonists.
- The prevalence of pathological gambling in Parkinson's disease patients is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of pathological gambling in Parkinson's disease patients.
- To investigate the association between dopamine agonist therapy and pathological gambling.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enquiry in Parkinson's disease patients attending movement disorder clinics.
- Assessment of 388 patients on anti-Parkinson medication.
- Identification of patients who developed pathological gambling.
Main Results:
- 17 out of 388 patients (4.4%) developed pathological gambling.
- All patients with pathological gambling were prescribed dopamine agonists.
- 8% of patients taking dopamine agonists developed pathological gambling.
Conclusions:
- Pathological gambling is a significant adverse effect in Parkinson's disease patients treated with dopamine agonists.
- Patients and clinicians should be aware of this potential risk.
- Further research may be warranted to explore management strategies.
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