USE OF CYPROTERONE ACETATE FOR TREATING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA

摘要

The behaviour disorders of patients suffering from a demential syndrome of degenerative origin or from acquired brain injuries constitute the main cause of exhaustion in their environment. The current medicinal resources may prove insufficient and/or induce considerable unwanted effects. Anti-andogenic, progestative cyproterone acetate has been proposed in a context of therapeutic impasse to 15 demented patients having major aggressive behavioural disorders in long term geriatric care units or at home. The clinical and behavioural assessment was based on an assessment scale of behaviour disorders in Cohen Mansfield institution, prior to treatment and following stabilization under treatment. Cyproterone acetate significantly improved the aggressive and impulsive behaviours. The efficacy with regards to aggressiveness and impulsiveness was maintained during the treatment phase and aggressiveness resurfaced when the treatment was interrupted. Cyproterone acetate is therefore an interesting alternative to sedative psychotropic drugs for patients suffering from degenerative or vascular dementia accompanied by aggressiveness and/or impulsiveness.