Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Comprehensive Profiling of Dopamine Regulation in Substantia Nigra and Ventral Tegmental Area
Published on: August 10, 2012
Personality, addiction, dopamine: insights from Parkinson's disease
Alain Dagher1, Trevor W Robbins
1Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada. alain.dagher@mcgill.ca
Abstract:
In rare instances, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may become addicted to their own medication or develop behavioral addictions such as pathological gambling. This is surprising because PD patients typically have a very low incidence of drug abuse and display a personality type that is the polar opposite of the addictive personality. These rare addictive syndromes, which appear to result from excessive dopaminergic medication use, illustrate the link between dopamine, personality, and addiction. We describe the clinical phenomena and attempt to relate them to current models of learning and addiction. We conclude that persistently elevated dopaminergic stimulation promotes the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
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
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
