Parkinson's drug link to compulsive shopping

One of the main treatments for movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease is a group of medicines called dopamine-receptor agonists-including cabergoline, ropinirole, bromocriptine and pramipexole.

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These drugs boost levels of dopamine-often dubbed the brain's “happy” hormone-which plays a key role in movement, mood and the brain's reward system. When we do something pleasurable, dopamine is released. But in some cases, these medicines can overstimulate this system, triggering impulsive or compulsive behaviours.

While more common side-effects include headaches, nausea and sleepiness, a small number of patients develop impulse-control disorders. These can include: