Psy - A drug to treat psychosexual disorders

Psy - A drug to treat psychosexual disorders





Scientists have discovered a new drug to boost patients' sex lives.

The naturally-occurring hormone, appropriately named `kisspeptin', has been linked to sexy and romantic feelings and is essential to the body's reproductive system. Now, experts believe that injectining this hormone can help in the treatment of psychosexual problems that commonly occur in patients with infertility. 

A study of 29 healthy heterosexual young men found that injections of the hormone enhanced the brain's response to sexual and romantic pictures of couples. MRI scans showed enhanced activity in regions of the brain stimulated by sexual arousal and romance. The same effect did not occur when the volunteers viewed non-sexy images. Kisspeptin boosts brain circuits linked to sex and love, the scientists believe.

Lead researcher professor Waljit Dhillo, of Imperial College London, sa id: “Most of the research and treatment methods for infertility to date have fo cused on the biological factors that may make it difficult for a couple to conceive naturally . 

“These of course play a huge part in reproduction, but the role that the brain and emotional processing play in this process is also very impor tant, and only partially understood.

“Our initial findings are novel and exciting as they indicate that kisspep exciting as they indicate that kisspep tin plays a role in stimulating some of the emotions and responses that lead to sex and reproduction. 

“Ultimately , we are keen to look into whether kisspep tin could be an effective treatment for psychosexual disorders, and potential ly help countless couples who struggle to conceive.“ The team, whose findings are reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, plans to study the effects of kisspeptin in a larger group inclu ding women as well as men.

 Another discovery was that kisspeptin also see med to be involved in regulating mood and reducing negativity , suggesting that it may help combat depression.

Co-author Dr Alexander Comni nos, also from Imperial College, said: “Our study shows that kisspeptin bo osts sexual and romantic brain activi ty as well as decreasing negative mood.

This raises the interesting possibility that kisspeptin may have uses in trea ting psychosexual disorders and de pression which are major health pro blems which often occur together, but further studies would be needed to in vestigate this.“