Delay discounting in Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Delay discounting refers to the depreciation of the value of a reward as a function of the time it takes to obtain it. Growing evidence shows altered delay discounting in several pathological conditions, including neurological disorders. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on delay discounting (DD) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). We found steeper DD in patients with PD, compared to healthy controls, both in “on” and “off” dopaminergic medication. These results confirm altered DD in PD and suggest an independent influence of the dopaminergic medication and the clinical condition itself on it. Also the effect of impulse control disorder and of pharmacological treatments are analysed. •We explored delay discounting in Parkinson disease.•Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) show steeper delay discounting than healthy controls.•Medicated patients with PD show steeper delay discounting than non-medicated ones.•Dopaminergic medication and diagnosis of PD have an independent influence on delay discounting.