Rivastigmine in the treatment of hypersexuality in Alzheimer disease.
Inappropriate sexual behaviors (ISB) represent uncommon and often misdiagnosed clinical disorders among patients with Alzheimer disease. So far, no randomized clinical trials regarding the treatment of ISB in demented people have been conducted, but available data from case series and isolated case reports suggest the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics, antiandrogens, and H2-receptor antagonists. Controversial data exist on the therapeutic influence of cholinesterase inhibitors on sexual disorders. In the present article, we describe the case of an Alzheimer disease patient presenting hypersexuality, successfully treated with rivastigmine. Thus, we perform a revision of the existing literature regarding the therapeutical effect of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of ISB.
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Memory Clinic, University Sapienza, Viale dell'Università, Rome, Italy. marco.canevelli@gmail.com
Marco
M
Canevelli
Giuseppina
G
Talarico
Giuseppe
G
Tosto
Fernanda
F
Troili
Gian Luigi
GL
Lenzi
Giuseppe
G
Bruno
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine