PSYCHIATRIC AND SEXUAL DISORDERS INDUCED BY APOMORPHINE IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

A similar pattern of psychosexual disorders has been observed after lo ngterm treatment with levodopa therapy in four male parkinsonian patie nts treated with apomorphine for severe on-off motor fluctuations. An acute episode in each case had led them to the hospital in the context of a psychiatric emergency (after punishable sexual acts in two cases ). In each case, this episode had been preceded by an increase of self -administered apomorphine, whereas other antiparkinsonian drugs remain ed unchanged. Questioning had revealed psychosexual disturbances as ea rly as the onset of apomorphine treatment, which tended to progressive ly worsen with the number of apomorphine daily doses. A decrease in th e dosage of apomorphine had been followed by the improvement of the ps ychiatric condition without worsening of the motor status. Recurrence of psychiatric disorders with similar features had been observed when two patients again increased the number of apomorphine daily injection s. The absence of somatic manifestations when apomorphine treatment wa s withdrawn or reduced, with persistence of psychosexual disturbances, could suggest a psychological dependence from the drug.