Graf, 2014 Antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction — Perspectives from neuroimaging

[zenzeno]

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2014 Jun;121:138-45. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.12.003. Epub 2013 Dec 11.
Antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction - Perspectives from neuroimaging.
Graf H¹, Walter M², Metzger CD³, Abler B⁴.
 
Abstract at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24333547 Full PDF text here
https://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/14420181/1954044300/name/SSRI+and+FSD+-+MRI+2014.pdf
 
Abstract:
 
Sexual dysfunction is not only a common symptom in major depression but also a frequent side-effect of antidepressant medication, mainly of the selective serotonin reuptake-inhibitors (SSRI) that are often prescribed as a first line treatment option. Despite of the increasing incidence and prescription rates, neuronal mechanisms underlying SSRI-related sexual dysfunction are poorly understood and investigations on this topic are scarce. Neuroimaging techniques, mainly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), provide a feasible approach to investigate these mechanisms since SSRI-related sexual dysfunction is most likely related to central nervous processes. This review summarizes the recent literature regarding the basic clinical findings and imaging correlates of antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction linking brain regions and networks potentially involved two phases and subcomponents of sexual processing and antidepressant action. In particular, fMRI studies on SSRI antidepressants including paroxetine and SNRIs including bupropion are highlighted.
 
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Conclusion:
 
Recent investigations focusing on antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction could demonstrate that neural networks and subcomponents of sexual processing are affected specifically according to the drugs' impact on neurotransmission. Whereas serotonergic drugs like SSRIs led to decreased activation in reward and emotional networks, dopaminergic medications led to enhanced activations within these brain regions, thus, providing evidence and neural correlates for the clinical observation of SSRI-related sexual dysfunction that is absent under dopaminergic drugs. Although further research is necessary, neuroimaging studies thus could link clinically observed antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction to a plausible explanatory neurobiological model. Moreover, it seems reasonable that these approaches may not only be helpful for the selection of specific drugs according to their receptor profiles but also for developing new medications.[/size]
 
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Edited June 13, 2014 by Altostrata
put in Journals format

[Altostrata]

zenzeno, thanks for finding this.
 
When posting in the Journals forum, please follow the format described here Before you start a topic in Journals....

 

It's unlikely neuroimaging will show anything intelligible about complex hormonal processes, particularly if psychiatry is doing the driving.

 

This study is yet another "this technology is promising" study. It didn't find anything.