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Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in Parkinson's Disease

Dr. Ines Debove sits down for an insightful and engaging discussion with Prof. Daniel Weintraub, a leading expert in the psychiatric and cognitive aspects of Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Weintraub, based at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center’s PADRECC (Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center), brings a wealth of experience and research to the conversation. He shares his unique path into neurology, revealing how his early curiosity about the brain evolved into a dedicated focus on the neuropsychiatric challenges faced by people with Parkinson’s disease particularly impulse control disorders (ICDs).These often hidden symptoms, such as compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive shopping, can significantly affect quality of life and remain underrecognized both in clinical settings and in public understanding. The dialogue highlights the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and empathy driven care in managing ICDs. Dr. Debove and Prof. Weintraub’s conversation underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—blending psychiatry, neurology, and patient centered research to better address the complex behavioral dimensions of Parkinson’s.

Episode 1: Screen, Then Intervene

In this episode, Prof. Dr. Dan Weintraub and Dr. med. Ines Debove explore how Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson’s disease can be identified using screening tools within the demanding daily routine of neurologists, emphasising the critical importance of early detection for effective therapy.

Episode 2: Psychiatrist vs Neurologist

Join us for the second episode of ParkImpulse, where we dive into the complexity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly impulse control disorders, in Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Weintraub highlights the essential differences between psychiatrists and neurologists, demonstrating how their expertise is crucial for managing these challenging disorders in Parkinson’s patients. Dr. Ines Debove sets the stage for this discussion following her meeting with Prof. Kay Redfield Jamison, a world-renowned American clinical psychologist and author whose work focuses on bipolar disorders, to discuss the parallels between neuropsychiatric fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorders, which we will feature at a later time.

Episode 3: “Time and Trust”

Doctors, ask yourself: Are you giving your patients with Parkinson’s disease the chance to tell you what they’re not saying? Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs)—like compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, or binge shopping—are often hidden, dismissed, or denied. In brief consultations, many clinicians never hear about them until serious harm has occurred. This episode is a call to reflect on our clinical practice: 🔹 How do we approach these questions in limited time? 🔹 Are we making space for vulnerability? 🔹 Are we asking the right questions—or just checking boxes? For neurologists, residents, and anyone working in movement disorders, this episode is a pause-and-think moment: Are we catching what really matters?

Episode 4 – Neurobiological Components 

The Neurobiological Link Between Neurology and Psychiatry in PD In this episode, Dr. med. Ines Debove and Prof. Daniel Weintraub discuss why collaboration between psychiatry and neurology is essential in Parkinson’s disease – a condition best understood as neuropsychiatric. Parkinson’s doesn’t only affect movement. The brain changes underlying the disease also contribute to psychiatric symptoms. Recognizing this neurobiological connection allows clinicians to better support patients and caregivers, opening the door to more empathetic conversations about challenging issues such as impulse control disorders. Watch our latest video to learn how integrating neurological and psychiatric perspectives can improve care, strengthen communication, and enhance quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Podcast Series

Episode 1: Podcast Screen and Then Intervene

Parkinson’s isn’t just motor symptoms. Impulse Control Disorders (ICDs) like compulsive gambling, shopping, eating, or hypersexuality can seriously affect quality of life in people with Parkinson’s. Clinicians, caregivers, and patients: Stay alert. Stay proactive. Early screening and intervention are critical. Ask the questions. Start the conversations. The sooner ICDs are identified, the better the outcomes for patients, families, and care teams. In this episode, Prof. Dr. Dan Weintraub and Dr. med. Ines Debove explore how Impulse Control Disorders in Parkinson’s disease can be identified using screening tools within the demanding daily routine of neurologists, emphasising the critical importance of early detection for effective therapy.

Episode 2: Podcast Psychiatrists vs Neurologist 
Join us for the second episode of ParkImpulse, where we dive into the complexity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly impulse control disorders, in Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Weintraub highlights the essential differences between psychiatrists and neurologists, demonstrating how their expertise is crucial for managing these challenging disorders in Parkinson’s patients. Dr. Ines Debove sets the stage for this discussion following her meeting with Prof. Kay Redfield Jamison, a world-renowned American clinical psychologist and author whose work focuses on bipolar disorders, to discuss the parallels between neuropsychiatric fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease and bipolar disorders, which we will feature at a later time.

Episode 3: Podcast Time and Trust

How do we tackle sensitive topics like Impulse Control Disorders in short clinical consultations? In this episode, we explore the real-world challenges of building trust, navigating taboo subjects, and managing complex neuropsychiatric conditions like Parkinson’s disease-all within the constraints of modern healthcare.
Join us as Dr. med. Ines Debove and Prof. Dr. med. Daniel Weintraub reflect on these challenges, what it means to truly listen, ask the right questions, and support our patients in meaningful ways.
🔹 How can we uncover the unseen in limited time?
🔹 Can we build enough trust to share what truly matters?Let’s raise awareness and create open spaces for the important conversations that lead to better understanding and care.

Episode 4: The Neurobiological Link Between Neurology and Psychiatry in Parkinson’s Disease

In this closing episode, Dr. Ines Debove and Prof. Daniel Weintraub explore why Parkinson’s disease must be seen as a neuropsychiatric condition, emphasizing the vital collaboration between neurology and psychiatry. Beyond movement symptoms, Parkinson’s involves brain changes that lead to psychiatric challenges like impulse control disorders. Understanding this connection helps clinicians provide more compassionate, comprehensive care—improving communication and quality of life for patients and their families. Listen and discover how integrating these perspectives can transform Parkinson’s care.