Open AccessDopamine dysregulation syndrome induced by proxy
Author(s) -
Diogo Reis Carneiro,
Mário Sousa,
Ana Morgadinho,
Cristina Januário
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-228495
Subject(s) - medicine , dopamine , dopaminergic , disease , dyskinesia , psychiatry , pediatrics , neuroscience , parkinson's disease , psychology
Dopamine dysregulation syndrome is a rare complication of Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment. We present a 70-year-old woman with a long-standing PD and a clinical picture compatible with dopaminergic dysregulation, which was ultimately revealed to be induced by her companion. Patient's exuberant choreiform dyskinesia led to a potential financial advantage when performed outside the hospital but excessive dopamine intake also occurred during hospital admission, without any obvious reward for the abuser. Even in cases where there is no place for a definitive diagnosis, deceptive behaviours must be identified as their management is based on psychological and social support in parallel to the adjustment of PD therapy.