Augmentation of artistic productivity in Parkinson's disease.

摘要

Enhancement of pre-existing artistic talent as well as the emergence of a new artistic tendency has been associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) but is an unusual finding in Parkinson's disease (PD). Conversely, available case studies and anecdotal reports have shown that PD does not adversely affect the artistic expression of established artists.We present a patient who was diagnosed with PD and started producing a large amount of artistic work several months after an increase in dopamine agonist dose. Although he previouslyhad demonstrated artistic tendencies, his productivity since beginning dopamine agonist therapy presented a striking change. More recently, he also developed sexual disinhibition in both observed behavior in an unstructured setting and on neuropsychological assessment, which was apparently unrelated to medication change.The patient had been diagnosed with PD and started on levodopa/carbidopa with good results 11 years previously. He had always sketched occasionally, but 3 years ago had started continually producing several pastel drawings per week, sometimes two per day. This increase occurred several months after initiation and increase of ropinirole to 8 mg/day and also coincided with a change in social circumstances, including relocation to an assisted living facility where he had more freedom to draw. He carried a sketchbook with him at all times, and approached acquaintances and strangers in public places to show his work. He believed that the medication positively affected his creativity and was unwilling to make dosage changes. Recently, unrelated to any concurrent change in medication, he developed inappropriate social behaviors, including excessive flirting with women on the street and asking residents and staff of his assisted living facility to pose nude for his artwork.