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Mills EG, Ertl N, Wall MB, Thurston L, Yang L, Suladze S, Hunjan T, Phylactou M, Patel B, Muzi B, Ettehad D, Bassett PA, Howard J, Rabiner EA, Bech P, Abbara A, Goldmeier D, Comninos AN, Dhillo WS. Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2254313. [PMID: 36735255 PMCID: PMC9898824 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.54313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The human physiological sexual response is crucial for reward, satisfaction, and reproduction. Disruption of the associated neurophysiological pathways predisposes to low sexual desire; the most prevalent psychological form is hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), which affects 8% of men but currently has no effective pharmacological treatment options. The reproductive neuropeptide kisspeptin offers a putative therapeutic target, owing to emerging understanding of its role in reproductive behavior. OBJECTIVE To determine the physiological, behavioral, neural, and hormonal effects of kisspeptin administration in men with HSDD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This double-blind, 2-way crossover, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was performed at a single academic research center in the UK. Eligible participants were right-handed heterosexual men with HSDD. Physiological, behavioral, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and hormonal analyses were used to investigate the clinical and mechanistic effects of kisspeptin administration in response to visual sexual stimuli (short and long video tasks). The trial was conducted between January 11 and September 15, 2021, and data analysis was performed between October and November 2021. INTERVENTIONS Participants attended 2 study visits at least 7 days apart, in balanced random order, for intravenous infusion of kisspeptin-54 (1 nmol/kg/h) for 75 minutes or for administration of a rate-matched placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Changes in (1) brain activity on whole-brain analysis, as determined by fMRI blood oxygen level-dependent activity in response to visual sexual stimuli during kisspeptin administration compared with placebo, (2) physiological sexual arousal (penile tumescence), and (3) behavioral measures of sexual desire and arousal. RESULTS Of the 37 men randomized, 32 completed the trial. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 37.9 (8.6) years and a mean (SD) body mass index of 24.9 (5.4). On viewing sexual videos, kisspeptin significantly modulated brain activity in key structures of the sexual-processing network on whole-brain analysis compared with placebo (mean absolute change [Cohen d] = 0.81 [95% CI, 0.41-1.21]; P = .003). Furthermore, improvements in several secondary analyses were observed, including significant increases in penile tumescence in response to sexual stimuli (by up to 56% more than placebo; mean difference = 0.28 units [95% CI, 0.04-0.52 units]; P = .02) and behavioral measures of sexual desire-most notably, increased happiness about sex (mean difference = 0.63 points [95% CI, 0.10-1.15 points]; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Collectively, this randomized clinical trial provides the first evidence to date showing that kisspeptin administration substantially modulates sexual brain processing in men with HSDD, with associated increases in penile tumescence and behavioral measures of sexual desire and arousal. These data suggest that kisspeptin has potential as the first pharmacological treatment for men with low sexual desire. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN17271094.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard G. Mills
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Ertl
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Invicro LLC, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew B. Wall
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Invicro LLC, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Layla Thurston
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Yang
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sofiya Suladze
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tia Hunjan
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Phylactou
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bijal Patel
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Muzi
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dena Ettehad
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jonathan Howard
- Invicro LLC, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul Bech
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ali Abbara
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Goldmeier
- Jane Wadsworth Sexual Function Clinic, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander N. Comninos
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Waljit S. Dhillo
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Wuyts E, Morrens M. The Biology of BDSM: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2022; 19:144-157. [PMID: 36963978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION BDSM is an abbreviation used to reference the concepts of bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism, enacted by power exchanges between consensual partners. In recent years, attention has shifted from the idea of BDSM as a pathological and tabooed niche practice towards viewing BDSM as a healthy form of intimacy. AIM This systematic review brings together all existing literature on the biology of BDSM and places it in a broader biological context. METHODS A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science and PsycARTICLES, of which 10 articles are included and discussed in this systematic review. RESULTS There is evidence for cortisol changes in submissives as a result of a BDSM interaction, suggesting involvement of the physiological stress system. Endocannabinoid changes implicate the pleasure and reward system. In dominants, this biologically measured pleasure seemed to be dependent on power play rather than pain play. Testosterone and oxytocin are also implicated in BDSM, though their role is less evident. Research into brain region activity patterns related to BDSM interest suggests a role for the parietal operculum and ventral striatum in the context of the pleasure and reward system, the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex in the context of pain perception, empathy-related circuits such as the anterior insula, anterior midcingulate cortex and sensorimotor cortex and the left frontal cortex in the context of social and sexual interactions. Pain thresholds are shown to be higher in submissive individuals and a BDSM interaction may cause pain thresholds to rise in submissives as well. CONCLUSION BDSM interactions are complex and influenced by several psychological, social and biological processes. Though research is limited, there is emerging evidence for an interaction between several biological systems involved in these types of interests and activities. This means there is an important role for future research to replicate and supplement current results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Wuyts
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Manuel Morrens
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- University Department of Psychiatry, Campus Duffel, Duffel, Belgium
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Fazekas C, Linder D, Matzer F, Vajda C, Avian A, Theiler-Schwetz V, Trummer C, Došen J, Rokvic J, Mohl M, Pilz S. Development of a visual tool to assess six dimensions of health and its validation in patients with endocrine disorders. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2021; 134:569-580. [PMID: 33538897 PMCID: PMC9418290 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-021-01809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial factors significantly influence patient care in many fields of medicine, among these in the field of endocrinology. Easily applicable validated assessment tools for such psychosocial factors are lacking. Visual instruments may facilitate doctor-patient communication. This study describes the development and validation of a multidimensional visual tool for the self-assessment of health. METHODS An expert panel performed the multistep development of the psychosomatic assessment health disc (PAHD). Assessment of face validity was performed by means of a focus group of medical doctors (n = 6) and patient interviews (n = 24). For determining test-retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity, patients of an endocrine outpatient clinic in Graz, Austria, completed the PAHD and the following questionnaires: short-form 36 health survey, work ability index, Pittsburgh sleep quality index and the social life scales of the life satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS A numeric six-item analogue scale was developed in the form of a disc. It addresses the following aspects of health: physical well-being, social life, sexuality, mental well-being, sleep, working ability/performance. For the validation process, 177 patients (57.1% females) participated in the study. Correlation coefficients of the six items with other questionnaires ranged between r = 0.51 (social life) and r = 0.72 (sleep). Test-retest reliability was assessed among 98 patients and was ≥ 0.74 for all 6 items, while Cronbach's alpha was 0.78. CONCLUSION The psychometric properties of the PAHD support its use in clinical encounters with patients suffering from endocrine disorders. Further validation studies may be required to extend its application to other fields of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Fazekas
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - Dennis Linder
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Franziska Matzer
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Vajda
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Avian
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Verena Theiler-Schwetz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Trummer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Došen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jelena Rokvic
- Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 3, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Marco Mohl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Pilz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Abdo CHN. Is testosterone involved in low female sexual desire? ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2019; 63:187-189. [PMID: 31340239 PMCID: PMC10522204 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carmita H. N. Abdo
- Universidade de São PauloDepartamento de PsiquiatriaFaculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São PauloBrasilPsiquiatra, Professora Livre- -Docente do Departamento de Psiquiatria da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP). Fundadora e Coordenadora do Programa de Estudos em Sexualidade (ProSex) do Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP. Presidente da Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria (ABP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Universidade de São PauloInstituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das ClínicasFMUSPBrasil
- Associação Brasileira de PsiquiatriaSão PauloSPBrasil
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