In a recent issue of Neurology, published by the American Academy of Neurology, research was sited which indicates that Parkinson’s disease itself doesn’t increase the likelihood of impulse problems such as compulsive gambling or shopping addiction, turning the focus of research to the medications people take for the disease. Previously it was known that people taking medication for Parkinson’s were more prone to these behaviors, but researchers weren’t sure if it was the disease or the medications causing the problems. Researchers studied 168 people, recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s but who were not yet on medication, and 143 people who didn’t have the disease. Approximately 20% of the people in both groups exhibited impulse control symptoms.
Read the full article here: Parkinson’s Disease Itself Does Not Increase Risk of Gambling, Shopping Addiction
Carrie Rattle is a Principal at BehavioralCents.com, a website for women focused on mind and money behaviors. She has worked in the financial services industry for 20+ years and hopes to inspire women to better prepare themselves for financial independence.