PARKINSON DISEASE Impulsive choice-Parkinson disease and dopaminergic therapy

Treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) with dopaminergic medication is associated with the development of impulse control disorders (ICDs). A new study suggests that, irrespective of medication, patients with PD are more likely to make impulsive decisions. How and why might the risk of ICDs be increased in patients with this disease? Voon, V. & Dalley, J. W. Nat. Rev. Neurol. 7, 541-542 (2011); published online 13 September 2011; doi: 10.1038/ nrneurol. 2011.139