A systematic review of decision-making impairments in Parkinson’s Disease: Dopaminergic medication and methodological variability

Cognitive impairments in Parkinson’s disease have been studied with great interest, and decision-making abilities in particular have received attention over the past decade. The degree of decision-making impairments in Parkinson’s disease has been debated in relation to different types of decision-making tasks and the possible effect of dopaminergic medication, among others. The present review presents a systematic overview of literature investigating decision-making in patients with Parkinson’s Disease treated with dopaminergic medication. The aim of the review is to discuss decision-making impairments displayed by patients considering effects of dopaminergic medication. Patients with Parkinson’s Disease on dopaminergic medication were found to be impaired in decision making tasks. Dopaminergic medication has a complex, but often significant, relationship with decision making impairments. Finally, the influence of methodological differences in the assessment of decision-making will be considered offering important implications for future research.