Abstract

Impulsive Compulsive Behaviours (ICBs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are motivation-based behaviours that involve repetitive occurrences of impulsive and uncontrolled activity. There is established recognition of an association with the dopaminergic medication, used to treat the motor disability, in some sufferers of PD. This increased risk has sparked a decade of research into the epidemiology, biological, and psychosocial mechanisms associated with PD-ICBs. Nonetheless (neuro) psychiatric classification is currently inconsistent and unclear. Additionally little is known regarding the best evidence-based clinical approach to management of these behaviours. The talk will address new developments in the understanding of assessment and management of PD-ICBs including:

• 1. Conceptual and methodological problems underlying ICB diagnoses.

• 2. Existing methods of assessment and rating of ICBs.

• 3. Discussion of new scales for ICB severity assessment.

• 4. Evaluation of the effects of a novel cognitive behavioural therapy based intervention for ICB management.

• 5. Demographic and clinical variables predictive of ICB outcome.

There will also be comparison of the biopsychosocial aspects of PD-ICB presentation to Impulse Control Disorder presentations in the general population and those who suffer from Substance Use Disorders.