MENTAL SYMPTOMS IN PARKINSONIAN PATIENTS TREATED WITH L-DOPA

The abrupt appearance and rapid worsening of mental side-effects in five patients, three of whom became suicidal and two psychotic, underlines the need for awareness of mental complications of therapy with L-dopa in order to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract

Eighteen of ninety consecutive patients Summary with Parkinson's disease had mental disturbances attributable to therapy with L-dopa. Seven of them became moderately to severely depressed, four became suicidal, five became psychotic, and one became psychotic and later depressed. One patient developed delusions and hallucinations when L-dopa was temporarily withdrawn. The abrupt appearance and rapid worsening of mental side-effects in five patients, three of whom became suicidal and two psychotic, underlines the need for awareness of mental complications of therapy with L-dopa in order to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment.