[Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive spectrum].

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Context:

• Obsessive symptoms in neurological diseases inform neuroanatomical models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Increased reports of obsessive-compulsive phenomena and impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients suggest a link.
• Basal ganglia involvement is implicated in the pathophysiology of OCD spectrum disorders.

Purpose:

• To review current evidence on the association between Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive symptoms/impulse control disorders.
• To synthesize findings from Medline searches using terms 'obsessive compulsive Parkinson' and 'impulse control Parkinson'.

Summary:

• Sufficient data indicate that increased ICDs in Parkinson's disease patients are not coincidental and are primarily linked to dopaminergic agonist treatments.
• The association between Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive symptoms is more controversial, with studies showing conflicting results and methodological inconsistencies.
• Disparities in study methodologies, including the definition of obsessive phenomena, contribute to the controversy.

Impact:

• Findings highlight the need for further rigorous studies to advance the understanding of the neurobiology of these conditions.
• Clarifying these associations could improve therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease patients experiencing related behavioral changes.
• This research contributes to the broader understanding of basal ganglia function in neuropsychiatric disorders.