EFFECT OF LEVODOPA ON PERSONALITY DISTURRBANCES AND DYSEXECUTIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Abstract

Objective:

To assess effects of levodopa (L-dopa) on personality disturbances and dysexecutive symptoms in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Study Design: Prospective test-retest design.

Place and Duration of Study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Civil Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during June 2016 to June 2017.

Material and Methods:

Informants of sixty patients with idiopathic PD rated changes in personality on lowa scale of personality change and dysexecutive symptoms on dysexecutive questionnaire after three months of L-dopa treatment. Informants and clinical psychologist who collected data from informants were both blind to the objective of the study.

Results:

Personality disturbances and dysexecutive functioning (dysexecutive symptoms, inhibition, social regulation) were significantly reduced post L-dopa treatment.

Conclusion:

L-dopa is an effective treatment for bringing positive personality and cognition related changes in patients with idiopathic PD.