Objective: To characterize impulse control problems in early onset and familial PD (EOPD and FPD).

Background: Impulse control disorders are a set of pathological behaviours that include hypersexuality, compulsive gambling, shopping and eating (1). We have established a clinical cohort study (Parkinson’s Families Project) of people with EOPD or FPD. 

Methods: Participants were recruited from 20 UK study sites. Demographic and clinical data were collected using validated scales, together with a DNA sample (2). Impulse control disorders (ICD) and behaviours (ICB) were assessed using the Questionnaire for ICD in Parkinson’s short form (QUIP-short). 

Results: We have studied 122 participants.  43.4% had EOPD (age at onset ≤45yrs) and 71% had FPD.  Median disease duration was 6 years (IQR=7). 40.1% had evidence of ICD or ICB, of whom 29% had >1 ICD/ICB. Compulsive shopping was the most common (15.6%), followed by compulsive eating (13.9%), hypersexuality (13.1%) and pathological gambling (4.9%). 

Presence of ICD or ICB was 30.2% in those diagnosed ≤45yrs, 47.8% in those diagnosed >46. However, there was a lower rate of 34.8% among those diagnosed over 65yrs.

41.5% of participants taking dopamine agonists had ICD/ICB compared to 37.7% not taking dopamine agonists.

Conclusions: This cohort is enriched for EOPD and FPD and we will use this cohort to explore: i) single gene (Mendelian) effects on ICD susceptibility; ii) common variant effects on ICD susceptibility and iii) the relationships between family history of PD, family history of neuropsychiatric disease, and ICD.  A particular strength of our study is the ability to integrate detailed genetic, clinical and family history data in rarer PD patient groups. 

References: 1.     Weintraub D, Koester J, Potenza MN, Siderowf AD, Stacy M, Voon V, et al. Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson Disease. Arch Neurol. 2010 May 1;67(5):589–95.

2.     Malek N, Swallow DMA, Grosset KA, Lawton MA, Marrinan SL, Lehn AC, et al. Tracking Parkinson’s: Study Design and Baseline Patient Data. J Parkinsons Dis; 2015;5(4):947–59. 

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impulse-control-disorders-in-early-onset-and-familial-pd/