Neurobiological Underpinnings to Hypersexual Disorder

Summary

Hypersexual Disorder (HD), sometimes called "sexual addiction", is a disorder with intense sexual desires and psychological preoccupations that lead to out-of-control sexual activities with severe consequences. HD is related to higher risks of HIV infection and an important risk factor for committing sexual crimes. The prevalence of HD is 3-6% of the general population, thus, a significant burden for society. The neurobiological mechanisms behind HD are still unknown, and there is still a great need for causal treatments.

This study is aimed at identifying neurobiological and psychological mechanisms underlying HD as a basis for treatment development. The overall goal is to improve mental health, quality of life, diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals, and to reduce the impact HD can have on society. Patients with HD will be recruited at Karolinska University Hospital in close collaboration between endocrinologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and brain researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Cases and healthy controls will undergo brain scans (MRI), psychological and blood tests to quantify neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of HD.

This study is directly integrated into clinical practice, can identify important targets for interventions and factors predicting treatment outcomes. This study is essential for a better understanding of HD, the improvement of treatments, and can have significant impact on the prevention of HIV infections and sexual crimes.

Conditions

• Hypersexuality
• Hypersexual Disorder
• Compulsive Sexual Behavior

Interventions

OTHER

Brain Imaging

* Structural MRI (T1 weighted) * Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) * resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) * functional MRI (fMRI): Brain activity will be measured in response to sexual images (visually evoked sexual arousal; processing of sexual stimuli), and importantly during a phase when these stimuli are anticipated (neural correlates of wanting and desire; reward anticipation).

OTHER

Cognitive testing

We will administer neuropsychological tests assessing objective measures for * intelligence (Ravens Matrices) * impulsivity and risk-taking behavior (Balloon Analogue Risk Task) * inhibitory control (Stop Signal Task).

OTHER

Psychometric

Administered questionnaires include anxiety and depression symptoms (MADRS, HADS, GAD), drug use (AUDIT, DUDIT), attention deficits (ASRS), impulsivity (BIS-11), reward seeking behavior (BIS/BAS), sexual orientation, (hyper)sexual behavior, desire and compulsivity aspects (HDSI, HBI, SCS, SDI, SIS/SES).

OTHER

Blood test

Blood samples will be taken for routine health assessment, measurement of sex hormonal levels, HPA-axis function test (dexamethasone suppression), and potential DNA extraction and (epi)genetic profiling.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karolinska University Hospital, ANOVA, Stockholm (Stefan Arver, Katarina Görts Öberg)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Karolinska Institutet

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

100 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-04-01

Primary Completion

2021-12-30

Completion

2021-12-30

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations