Peer-reviewed open access journal Continuous publishing model

Open access scholarly publishing

Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology

A modern publishing platform for behavioral health research, mental health scholarship, and interdisciplinary evidence shared through an open, online-first model.

Open Access Peer Reviewed Behavioral Health

Current publishing cycle

Editorial updates

Follow new and recently accepted papers as they move through the journal.

2.809 Impact factor
Open Access model

Article details

Efficacy of transdermal rivastigmine for treatment hypersexuality in alzheimer’s disease

Faik Ilik, Fatih Kayhan, Huseyin Buyukgol, Hatice Kose Ozlece

Abstract

Hypersexuality in alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been rarely investigated. No randomized clinical trials regarding the treatment of hypersexuality in demented people have been conducted, but available data from isolated case reports suggest the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, antiandrogens, and H2 - receptor antagonists. The patient was a 72-year-old man, who presented for a neuropsychological evaluation performed at the Elbistan State Hospital with a Mini-Mental State Examination value of 18/30. The presenting symptom was persistent sexual desire. Transdermal rivastigmine was started at a dose of 5 (9 mg) once daily and the sexual desires terminated on the 2nd week of the treatment. Unfortunately, hypersexuality occurred 1 month later. Rivastigmine patch 10 (18 mg) was prescribed again to reduce the hypersexuality, and this proved to be effective. We present a case of a 72-year-old male patient with AD with hypersexual behavior as reported by his wife. Our patient exhibited significant improvement with rivastigmine. Hypersexuality, also referred to in the literature as sexually inappropriate behavior and sexual disinhibition, involves persistent, uninhibited sexual behaviors directed at oneself or at others. In this case, we would like to emphasize that cholinesterase inhibitors can be effective in treatment of hypersexuality in AD.