Increased creativity associated with dopamine agonist therapy: A case report and short review of the literature

Authors

Smathorn Thakolwiboon, Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street STOP 8321, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States. Electronic address: smathorn.thakolwiboon@ttuhsc.edu.
Amputch Karukote, Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street STOP 8321, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States. Electronic address: amputch.karukote@ttuhsc.edu.
Parunyou Julayanont, Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street STOP 8321, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States. Electronic address: p.julayanont@ttuhsc.edu.
Henrik Wilms, Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street STOP 8321, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States. Electronic address: Henrik.Wilms@ttuhsc.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Impulse control disorder (ICD) has been linked to dopamine agonist use in patients with Parkinson's disease. Increased creativity is another cognitive side effect of dopaminergic therapy. While ICD is well recognized in the literature, enhanced creativity as a positive phenomenon is underreported because it does not negatively affect the patients' quality of life. Herein, we report a case of a 49-year-old man with Parkinson's disease who developed enhanced creativity expressed by the acquisition of multiple, new artistic skills with ropinirole treatment. He spent a significant amount of time on painting, carving and axe restoration, selling these artistic products became a source of income. He also reports that these hobbies help him cope with physical limitations caused by Parkinson's disease.

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Publication Title

Clinical neurology and neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1872-6968

Volume

216

First Page

107237

PubMed ID

35395562

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107237

Recommended Citation

Thakolwiboon, Smathorn; Karukote, Amputch; Julayanont, Parunyou; and Wilms, Henrik, "Increased creativity associated with dopamine agonist therapy: A case report and short review of the literature" (2022). Neurology. 1237.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1237