Dopaminergic therapy increases creativity, but this change is not related to increases in impulsivity.
Recently, cases have been reported of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) who showed increases in creativity with dopaminergic medications. Clinicians are also beginning to recognize that this therapy can increase impulsivity (dopamine dysregulation syndrome) and lead to problems with sexual behavior, shopping, gambling, and eating. This study examined whether these medications increase creativity and, if so, whether these increases are related to symptoms of impulse control disorders (ICDs).
Study participants were 27 right-handed, nondemented PD patients receiving dopaminergic therapy (mean age, 62) and 27 neurologically healthy controls (mean age, 59). They took tests on linguistic creativity, divergent thinking, and comprehension of nov…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)