Global Symposium: Personality and Behaviour Changes (2022)

In this talk, internationally renowned movement disorder specialist, Dr. Antonio Strafella, addressed personality and behavior changes in Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the disease's non-motor aspects, including cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, apathy, and impulse control disorders. He explained the intricate brain mechanisms involved in these changes and the affected brain regions.

Dr. Strafella highlighted the evolving complexity of Parkinson's disease, with visual hallucinations indicating disease progression and impulse control disorders emerging, particularly in patients taking dopamine agonists. Managing these behavioral complications presents challenges, as reducing medication can worsen motor symptoms, while increasing it may exacerbate behavioral issues.

Treatment options, while available, exhibit variable effectiveness, including interventions for osteoporosis, time-release medication, and deep brain stimulation. Caregivers were advised to seek support and occupational therapy, while cognitive decline management centered on engagement in physical and mental activities.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**