Cited by 46Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsSexuality, Behavior, and TechnologySchizophrenia research and treatment

Paraphilias and paraphilic disorders in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of the literature

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Solla, Paolo, Bortolato, Marco, Cannas, Antonino, Mulas, Cesare Salvatore, Marrosu, Francesco·2015·Movement Disorders

Abstract

Paraphilias are intense urges or behaviors involving non-normative sexual interests. The newly approved diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) have established that, although paraphilias should not be regarded as inherently pathological, they ought to be qualified as paraphilic disorders if resulting in distress, impairment, or harm to the affected individual or others. Recent evidence documents that both phenomena can emerge as relatively uncommon iatrogenic consequences in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. To outline the clinical characteristics of paraphilias and paraphilic disorders in PD patients, we summarized the available evidence on these phenomena. The review encompasses all studies on paraphilias in PD patients identified by a search on the Pubmed and Scopus online databases through May 2014. Twenty-two case reports on a total of 31 PD patients with paraphilias or paraphilic disorders were identified. These phenomena were typically associated with dopaminomimetic treatment (with a mean levodopa-equivalent daily dose of 1,303 ± 823 mg/d) in male patients with motor complications, young age at PD onset, and long disease duration. Paraphilias were highly concomitant with impulse-control disorders or dopamine dysregulation syndrome. Although evidence on paraphilias and paraphilic disorders in PD patients remains anecdotal, available data point to these phenomena as likely sequelae of high-dose dopaminomimetic treatment. Accordingly, the intensity of paraphilic urges is typically attenuated by the reduction of dopaminomimetic doses, sometimes in association with atypical antipsychotics. Failure to recognize paraphilic disorders may significantly impair the relational functioning of the affected PD patients. Practitioners should routinely inquire about paraphilias during their clinical assessment of PD patients.

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  • A boost in dopamine levels triggers a search for sexual novelty.

    “This suggests that a boost in dopamine levels triggers a search for sexual novelty (Klos et al., 2005;Nakum and Cavanna, 2016;Solla et al., 2015).”

    From A motivation model of sex addiction – Relevance to the controversy over the concept (2022) · cites this paper as Solla et al., 2015

    The Neurobiological bases section proposes that overuse of dopaminergic agents in Parkinson’s disease could drive aberrant “novelty seeking” and paraphilic behavior. The Discussion further limits this possibility to some predisposed patients, particularly with high doses of dopamine-replacement therapy. The citing sentence suggests a broader effect of increased dopamine levels than the review supports. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [6]Berger Ch Mehrhoff FW Beier KM Meinck HM Sexual delinquency and Parkinson's disease Nervenarzt 2003 74 4 370 5 12707708
  2. [36]Tesson J Cordier B Thibaut F Assessment of a new law for sex offenders implemented in France in 1998 Encephale 2012 38 133 40 22516271

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Authors
Solla, P., Bortolato, M., Cannas, A., Mulas, C. S., & Marrosu, F.
Affiliations
  • University of Cagliari (IT)
  • University of Kansas (US)
Corresponding author
Solla, Paolo
Venue
Movement Disorders
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-03-11
Volume
30
Issue
5
Pages
604-613
ISSN
  • 0885-3185 (ISSN-L)
  • 1531-8257
OpenAlex
W1503220426
Cited by
46
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3
FWCI
0.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Movement Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • UNICA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Cagliari) (submittedVersion)
  • UnissResearch (Università degli Studi di Sassari) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH104603)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
Keywords
paraphilias, paraphilic disorders, Parkinson's disease, levodopa, dopamine dysregulation syndrome, impulse control disorders, atypical antipsychotics, motor complications, DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
MeSH terms
Antiparkinson Agents, Humans, Paraphilic Disorders, Parkinson Disease, Databases, Bibliographic

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