parkinsons

Published on: May 11, 2021

Neuroticism Linked to Higher risk for Parkinson’s disease

Persons who suffer from personality traits that are specifically linked to neuroticism, may be at a higher risk of suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

According to the results of a recent study, individuals who exhibit characteristics closer to neuroticism on the personality scale, show higher levels of negative emotional states, and this could be place them at a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. Neuroticism is one of the big 5 personality traits. Individuals, who score highly on this personality trait, are typically more susceptible to irritability, and mood swings. They may be much more likely to worry or stress over problems and are much more likely, therefore, to feel the negative impact of stress.

Neuroticism has already been linked to a number of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also places an individual at a higher risk of depression. A new study finds that people who display characteristics of neuroticism, are as much as 80% more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s disease, compared to those who rank lower on the neuroticism scale. The risk continued to remain higher even after the researchers accounted for a number of other factors that could possibly affect the results, including the person’s medical history, age and smoking habits.

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Published on: September 25, 2017

Diabetes Drug May Be Beneficial for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

By Lisa Siegel

A drug used to treat patients who suffer from diabetes may have the unexpected side effect of helping reduce early symptoms in persons who suffer from Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers at the University College London recently found that the drug exenatide, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2005 for the treatment of diabetes, also may benefit persons with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers studied the effects of the drug on diabetic patients as compared to a control group that was on a placebo. They found that the diabetic patients who were on the drug showed better motor function after treatment. Patients on the drug showed reduced signs of decline, compared to those on the placebo.

The study only included a limited number of participants, and the researchers acknowledged that larger group samples may further confirm the findings of the study.

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Published on: May 24, 2016

Parkinson’s Disease Medications May Interfere with Impulse Control

By Lisa Siegel

According to a new study, one of the side effects of medications commonly prescribed for patients with Parkinson’s disease is a problem with impulse control.

Impulse control disorders are characterized by the individual’s inability to resist impulses or temptations to engage in acts that have the potential to cause harm to him or others. Pathological gambling is an example. Hypersexuality or sexual addiction is another. In other cases, people may shop excessively or binge eat.

The study, which appeared in the journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, found that 14 percent of persons who suffer from Parkinson’s disease experience at least one such side effect. Parkinson’s disease drugs that are specifically linked to such impulse control disorders are pramipexole and ropinirole. These are drugs that are often used to control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease like uncontrollable tremors.

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