Inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia

J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2005 Sep;18(3):155-62. doi: 10.1177/0891988705277541.

Abstract

Dementias are the most common type of neurodegenerative disorder. Behavioral disturbances are seen in more than 80% of patients suffering from these disorders. Although sexually inappropriate behaviors are not as common as some of the other behaviors seen in dementia, they can cause immense distress to all those who are affected. There are no randomized trials for the treatment of these behaviors, but the available data suggest efficacy for some commonly used treatment modalities. In this review, we systematically discuss various aspects of these behaviors and available treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Corpus Striatum / physiopathology
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Dementia / physiopathology
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Depression / drug therapy
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamus / physiopathology
  • Limbic System / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Paraphilic Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Paraphilic Disorders / psychology*
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents