Illustrating the Circuits of Sexual Desire

Illustrating the Circuits of Sexual Desire

Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD

Issue: Malfunctioning reward pathways may mediate the reduction of sexual desire caused by depression, sexual disorders, endocrine disorders, hormones, and various psychotropic drugs. Effective treatments for reduced libido target these circuits by enhancing dopamine, reducing serotonin, or both.

References

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5. Stahl SM. Targeting circuits of sexual desire as a treatment strategy for HSDD (hypoactive sexual desire disorder). J Clin Psychiatry. 2010;71(7):821-822. doi:10.4088/JCP.10bs06117blu

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Brainstorms is a section of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry aimed at providing updates of novel concepts emerging from the neurosciences that have relevance to the practicing psychiatrist.

From the Neuroscience Education Institute in Carlsbad, California, and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

For reprint and financial disclosure information, go to www.psychiatrist.com/brainstorms.

doi:10.4088/JCP.10bs06425whi

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