kisspeptin effective in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: JAMA

A 75-minute intravenous infusion of kisspeptin-54 (1 nmol/kg/h) vs equivalent-rate placebo infusion. Blood oxygen level–dependent responses across the whole brain and regions of interest during kisspeptin vs placebo administration in response to erotic and facial attraction stimuli.

Results:

• Of the 40 participants who were randomized, 32 women completed both kisspeptin and placebo visits, with a mean (SE) age of 29.2 (1.2) years.
• Kisspeptin administration resulted in modulations in sexual and facial attraction brain processing (deactivation of the left inferior frontal gyrus: Z max, 3.76; P = .01; activation of the right postcentral and supramarginal gyrus: Z max, 3.73; P < .001; deactivation of the right temporoparietal junction: Z max 4.08; P = .02).
• Furthermore, positive correlations were observed between kisspeptin-enhanced hippocampal activity in response to erotic videos, and baseline distress relating to sexual function
• Kisspeptin's enhancement of posterior cingulate cortex activity in response to attractive male faces also correlated with reduced sexual aversion, providing additional functional significance
• Kisspeptin was well-tolerated with no reported adverse effects.

These findings lay the foundations for clinical applications for kisspeptin in women with HSDD.

Reference:

Thurston L, Hunjan T, Ertl N, et al. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2236131. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36131