Intranasal Oxytocin for Managing Agitation in a Patient of Mixed Dementia With Multiple Pathologies, Particularly With a History of Repetitive Head Injuries.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2026
Abstract
BackgroundAgitation is common in persons living with dementia (major neurocognitive disorder) and worsens with disease progression. Brexpiprazole is the sole FDA-approved drug for agitation in persons with Alzheimer's dementia, but requires daily dosing over weeks. Limited pharmacologic options exist for acute agitation management.PurposeTo show the efficacy of oxytocin for acute agitation management in dementia patients.CaseWe report a 70-year-old former professional wrestler with repetitive head trauma who developed dementia and severe agitation. He showed remarkable, rapid improvement with as-needed intranasal oxytocin 30 IU until his death. Post-mortem examination revealed mixed pathology: Alzheimer's disease (Intermediate stage), Lewy Body disease (Limbic/Transitional stage), cerebrovascular disease with multiple infarcts, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.ConclusionThis case demonstrates the potential efficacy of intranasal oxytocin for acute agitation management in persons living with mixed dementia and may inspire further investigation.
Volume
39
Issue
4
First Page
426
Last Page
430
ISSN
1552-5708
Published In/Presented At
Jadav, N., Kuş, S., Ellison, J., Weisman, D., & Serruya, M. D. (2026). Intranasal Oxytocin for Managing Agitation in a Patient of Mixed Dementia With Multiple Pathologies, Particularly With a History of Repetitive Head Injuries. Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology, 39(4), 426–430. https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887251382495
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
40973034
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article