| 1. |
- Görts, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Structural brain differences related to compulsive sexual behavior disorder
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - : Akademiai Kiado. - 2062-5871 .- 2063-5303. ; 12:1, s. 278-287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: Compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) has been included as an impulse control disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying CSBD remain largely unknown, and given previous indications of addiction-like mechanisms at play, the aim of the present study was to investigate if CSBD is associated with structural brain differences in regions involved in reward processing.Methods: We analyzed structural MRI data of 22 male CSBD patients (mean = 38.7 years, SD = 11.7) and 20 matched healthy controls (HC; mean = 37.6 years, SD = 8.5). Main outcome measures were regional cortical thickness and surface area. We also tested for case-control differences in subcortical structures and the effects of demographic and clinical variables, such as CSBD symptom severity, on neuroimaging outcomes. Moreover, we explored case-control differences in regions outside our hypothesis including white matter.Results: CSBD patients had significantly lower cortical surface area in right posterior cingulate cortex than HC. We found negative correlations between right posterior cingulate area and CSBD symptoms scores. There were no group differences in subcortical volume.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that CSBD is associated with structural brain differences, which contributes to a better understanding of CSBD and encourages further clarifications of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the disorder.
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| 2. |
- Adebahr, Roberth, et al.
(författare)
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Reaching Men and Women at Risk of Committing Sexual Offences : Findings From the National Swedish Telephone Helpline PrevenTell
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1743-6095 .- 1743-6109. ; 18:9, s. 1571-1581
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In 2012 the Swedish Helpline project PrevenTell, targeting men and women with self-identified out-of-control and paraphilic sexual behavior, was launched by ANOVA, Karolinska University Hospital. The overall purpose was to reach the target group and via a telephone-contact encourage further on-site assessment and treatment.Aim: To describe men and women contacting PrevenTell during the first 7 years by delineate sexuality-related risk-factors for sexual violence, gender differences, and age-and gender-preferences when reporting a pedophilic interest.Method: A 52-item semi-structured telephone interview was conducted by experts in sexual medicine with individuals who contacted the helpline. The interview covered sociodemographic characteristics, problematic sexual behavior(s), and mental health and based on the information reported, interventions included recommending an appointment at ANOVA, supporting other appropriate healthcare, or motivation of individuals still ambivalent to treatment.Results: Data collection took place between March 2012 and October 2019. A total of 1573 respondents in the main target group (1454 men and 119 women) gave informed consent for participation. Compulsive sexual behavior was reported by 69% of respondents and 56% described at least one paraphilic interest. The prevalence of concomitant compulsive sexual behavior and a paraphilic interest was high, varying between 65% and 83%. Significant gender differences were found in socioeconomic and mental health variables, in which women showed fewer positive and stable life factors compared to men. A sexual preference for minors was reported by 24% of respondents. In this group, 63% reported use of child sexual exploitation material and 15% committed child sexual abuse. Respondents were offered anonymity, however 55% disclosed their identity and were enrolled for further assessment and treatment at ANOVA.Clinical Implications: The result of this study is of substantial relevance when developing secondary preventive initiatives targeting sexual violence in the community.Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study to present data from a national helpline targeting both men and women with a wide range of self-identified problematic sexual behaviors. Limitations include the lack of diagnostic confirmation on-site, hence, presented data provides only an indication of clinical conditions. Furthermore, the main objective of the interview was to motivate participants to seek further treatment, sometimes necessary to prioritize this over adherence to the semi-structured questionnaire, explaining the relatively high absence rate in some variables.Conclusion: Men and women at risk of committing sexual crimes can be reached through a national helpline service and motivated to undergo further assessment and treatment.
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| 3. |
- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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HPA axis dysregulation is associated with differential methylation of CpG-sites in related genes
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- DNA methylation shifts in Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis related genes is reported in psychiatric disorders including hypersexual disorder. This study, comprising 20 dexamethasone suppression test (DST) non-suppressors and 73 controls, examined the association between the HPA axis dysregulation, shifts in DNA methylation of HPA axis related genes and importantly, gene expression. Individuals with cortisol level ≥ 138 nmol/l, after the low dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were classified as non-suppressors. Genome-wide methylation pattern, measured in whole blood using the EPIC BeadChip, investigated CpG sites located within 2000 bp of the transcriptional start site of key HPA axis genes, i.e.: CRH, CRHBP, CRHR-1, CRHR-2, FKBP5 and NR3C1. Regression models including DNA methylation M-values and the binary outcome (DST non-suppression status) were performed. Gene transcripts with an abundance of differentially methylated CpG sites were identified with binomial tests. Pearson correlations and robust linear regressions were performed between CpG methylation and gene expression in two independent cohorts. Six of 76 CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated in DST non-suppressors (nominal P < 0.05), associated with genes CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, FKBP5 and NR3C1. NR3C1 transcript AJ877169 showed statistically significant abundance of probes differentially methylated by DST non-suppression status and correlated with DST cortisol levels. Further, methylation levels of cg07733851 and cg27122725 were positively correlated with gene expression levels of the NR3C1 gene. Methylation levels of cg08636224 (FKBP5) correlated with baseline cortisol and gene expression. Our findings revealed that DNA methylation shifts are involved in the altered mechanism of the HPA axis suggesting that new epigenetic targets should be considered behind psychiatric disorders.
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| 4. |
- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Interpersonal violence, early life adversity, and suicidal behavior in hypersexual men
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - : Akademiai Kiado. - 2062-5871 .- 2063-5303. ; 6:2, s. 187-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: There are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the role of childhood adversity, interpersonal violence, and suicidal behavior in hypersexual disorder (HD). The aim of this study was to investigate interpersonal violence in hypersexual men compared with healthy volunteers and the experience of violence in relation to suicidal behavior. Methods: This case-control study includes 67 male patients with HD and 40 healthy male volunteers. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) and the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) were used for assessing early life adversity and interpersonal violence in childhood and in adult life. Suicidal behavior (attempts and ideation) was assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (version 6.0) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale - Self-rating. Results: Hypersexual men reported more exposure to violence in childhood and more violent behavior as adults compared with healthy volunteers. Suicide attempters (n = 8, 12%) reported higher KIVS total score, more used violence as a child, more exposure to violence as an adult as well as higher score on CTQ-SF subscale measuring sexual abuse (SA) compared with hypersexual men without suicide attempt. Discussion: Hypersexuality was associated with interpersonal violence with higher total scores in patients with a history of suicide attempt. The KIVS subscale exposure to interpersonal violence as a child was validated using the CTQ-SF but can be complemented with questions focusing on SA for full assessment of early life adversity. Conclusion: Childhood adversity is an important factor in HD and interpersonal violence might be related to suicidal behavior in hypersexual men.
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| 5. |
- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Neurochemical and Hormonal Contributors to Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder
- 2022
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Ingår i: Current Addiction Reports. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 2196-2952. ; 9, s. 23-31
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose of Review: Compulsive sexual behavior disorder has been recently included in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and the possible contribution of neurochemical and hormonal factors have been reported. However, relatively little is known concerning the neurobiology underlying this disorder. The aim of this article is to review and discuss published findings in the area.Recent Findings: Evidence suggests that the neuroendocrine systems are involved in the pathophysiology of compulsive sexual behavior. The hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal axis, and the oxytocinergic system have been implicated.Summary: Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact involvement of neuroendocrine and hormonal systems in compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Prospective longitudinal studies are particularly needed, especially those considering co-occurring psychiatric disorders and obtaining hormonal assessments in experimental circumstances with appropriate control groups.
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| 6. |
- Chatzittofis, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder
- 2020
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Ingår i: Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 2050-1161. ; 8:2, s. 243-250
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Hypersexual disorder as suggested to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 integrates aspects of sexual desire deregulation, impulsivity, and compulsivity. However, it is unknown how it affects gonadal activity and the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in hypersexual men compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated associations between epigenetic markers and hormone levels.Methods: Basal morning plasma levels of testosterone, LH, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed in 67 hypersexual men (mean age: 39.2 years) compared with 39 age-matched healthy controls (mean age: 37.5 years). The Sexual Compulsivity Scale and the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale were used for assessing hypersexual behavior, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale-self rating was used for depression severity, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for assessing history of childhood adversity. The genome-wide methylation pattern of more than 850 K CpG sites was measured in whole blood using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. CpG sites located within 2,000 bp of the transcriptional start site of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) and HPG axis-coupled genes were included.Main Outcome Measures: Testosterone and LH plasma levels in association with clinical rating and a secondary outcome was the epigenetic profile of HPA and HPG axis-coupled CpG sites with testosterone and LH levels.Results: LH plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with hypersexual disorder than in healthy volunteers. No significant differences in plasma testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and SHBG levels were found between the groups. There were no significant associations between DNA methylation of HPA and HPG axis-coupled genes and plasma testosterone or LH levels after multiple testing corrections.Conclusions: Subtle dysregulation of the HPG axis, with increased LH plasma levels but no difference in testosterone levels may be present in hypersexual men.
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| 7. |
- Flanagan, John, et al.
(författare)
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High plasma oxytocin levels in men with hypersexual disorder
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 107:5, s. e1816-e1822
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Hypersexual disorder (HD) involves excessive, persistent sexual behaviors related to various mood states and the diagnosis compulsive sexual behavior disorder is included as an impulse control disorder in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. Although the neurobiology behind the disorder is not clear, some studies suggest dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Oxytocin acts as counterregulatory neuroendocrine hormone to cortisol and is also involved in sexual behavior.Objective: We hypothesized that oxytocin may play a role in the pathophysiology of HD with compensatory actions to cortisol.Design: Longitudinal.Setting: ANOVA clinic (Karolinska University Hospital).Patients or other participants: 64 males with HD and 38 age-matched healthy volunteers.Main Outcome Measures: Plasma oxytocin levels, measured with radioimmunoassay; Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory; and Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale for assessing hypersexual symptoms.Interventions: A patient subgroup (n=30) completed the manual-based group-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for HD, and posttreatment oxytocin levels were measured.Results: Hypersexual men (n=64) exhibited significantly higher oxytocin plasma levels (mean±SD: 31.0±9.9 pM) compared with healthy volunteers (16.9±3.9 pM; P<0.001). There were significant positive correlations between oxytocin levels and the rating scales measuring hypersexual behavior. Patients who completed CBT treatment (n=30) had a significant reduction of oxytocin plasma levels from pretreatment (30.5±10.1 pM) to posttreatment (20.2±8.0 pM; P<0.001).Conclusions: The results suggest that the hyperactive oxytocinergic system in hypersexual men may be a compensatory mechanism to attenuate hyperactive stress.
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| 8. |
- Görts Öberg, Katarina, et al.
(författare)
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Hypersexual Disorder According to the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory in Help-Seeking Swedish Men and Women With Self-Identified Hypersexual Behavior
- 2017
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Ingår i: Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 2050-1161. ; 5:4, s. E229-E236
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI) was developed by the American Psychiatric Association for clinical screening of hypersexual disorder (HD). Aims: To examine the distribution of the proposed diagnostic entity HD according to the HDSI in a sample of men and women seeking help for problematic hypersexuality and evaluate some psychometric properties. Methods: Data on sociodemographics, the HDSI, the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS), and the Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes of Sexual Behavior were collected online from 16 women and 64 men who self-identified as hypersexual. Respondents were recruited by advertisements offering psychological treatment for hypersexual behavior. Main Outcome Measures: The HDSI, covering the proposed criteria for HD. Results: Of the entire sample, 50% fulfilled the criteria for HD. Compared with men, women scored higher on the HDSI, engaged more often in risky sexual behavior, and worried more about physical injuries and pain. Men primarily used pornography, whereas women had sexual encounters. The HD group reported a larger number of sexual specifiers, higher scores on the SCS, more negative effects of sexual behavior, and more concerns about consequences compared with the non-HD group. Sociodemographics had no influence on HD. The HDSI's core diagnostic criteria showed high internal reliability for men (a = 0.80) and women (a = 0.81). A moderate correlation between the HDSI and the SCS was found (0.51). The vast majority of the entire sample (76 of 80, 95%) fulfilled the criteria for sexual compulsivity according to the SCS. Conclusion: The HDSI could be used as a screening tool for HD, although further explorations of the empirical implications regarding criteria are needed, as are refinements of cutoff scores and specific sexual behaviors. Hypersexual problematic behavior causes distress and impairment and, although not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, HD should be endorsed as a diagnosis to develop evidence-based treatment and future studies on its etiology. Copyright (C) 2017, The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the International Society for Sexual Medicine. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
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| 9. |
- Hallberg, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group Intervention for Hypersexual Disorder : A Feasibility Study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 1743-6095 .- 1743-6109. ; 14:7, s. 950-958
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The proposed criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for hypersexual disorder (HD) included symptoms reported by patients seeking help for excessive and out-of-control non-paraphilic sexual behavior, including sexual behaviors in response to dysphoric mood states, impulsivity, and risk taking. Although no prior studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of HD have been performed, CBT has been found effective for dysphoric mood states and impulsivity. Aim: To investigate the feasibility of a CBT manual developed for HD explored through symptom decrease, treatment attendance, and clients' treatment satisfaction. Methods: Ten men with a diagnosis of HD took part in the CBT group program. Measurements were taken before, during, and at the end of treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Outcomes: The primary outcome was the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale (HD: CAS) score that measured the severity of problematic hypersexual symptoms and secondary outcomes were the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI) score, the proportion of attended sessions, and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) score. Results: Main results were significant decreases of HD symptoms from before to after treatment on HD: CAS and HDSI scores and a decrease in the number of problematic sexual behaviors during the course of therapy. A high attendance rate of 93% and a high treatment satisfaction score on CSQ-8 also were found. Clinical Implications: The CBT program seemed to ameliorate the symptoms of HD and therefore might be a feasible treatment option. Strengths and Limitations: This study provides data from a CBT program for the treatment of the specific proposed criteria of HD. Because of the small sample and lack of a control group, the results can be considered only preliminary. Conclusion: Although participants reported decreased HD symptoms after attending the CBT program, future studies should evaluate the treatment program with a larger sample and a randomized controlled procedure to ensure treatment effectiveness. Copyright (C) 2017, International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Jokinen, Jussi, et al.
(författare)
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Methylation of the HPA axis related genes in men with hypersexual disorder
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - : Akademiai Kiado. - 2062-5871 .- 2063-5303. ; 6, s. 23-23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aims: Hypersexual Disorder (HD) defined as non-paraphilic sexual desire disorder with components of compulsivity, impulsivity and behavioral addiction, was proposed as a diagnosis in the DSM 5. Some overlapping features between HD and substance use disorder including common neurotransmitter systems and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function have been reported. In this study, comprising 67 male patients diagnosed with HD and 39 healthy male volunteers, we aimed to identify HPA-axis coupled CpG-sites, in which modifications of the epigenetic profile are associated with hypersexuality. Methods: The genome-wide methylation pattern was measured in whole blood using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip, measuring the methylation state of over 850 K CpG sites. Prior to analysis, the global DNA methylation pattern was pre-processed according to standard protocols and adjusted for white blood cell type heterogeneity. We included CpG sites located within 2000 bp of the transcriptional start site of the following HPAaxis coupled genes: Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), corticotropin releasing hormone binding protein (CRHBP), corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 2 (CRHR2), FKBP5 and the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1). We performed multiple linear regression models of methylation M-values to a categorical variable of hypersexuality, adjusting for depression, DST non-suppression status, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire total score and plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6. Results: 76 individual CpG sites were tested, and four of these were nominally significant (p < 0.05), associated with the genes CRH, CRHR2 and NR3C1. Cg23409074 – located 48 bp upstream of the TSS of the CRH gene – was significantly hypomethylated in hypersexual patients after corrections for multiple testing using the FDR-method. Methylation levels of cg23409074 were positively correlated with gene expression of the CRH gene in an independent cohort of 11 healthy male subjects. Conclusions: CRH is an important integrator of neuroendocrine stress responses in the brain, modulating behavior and the autonomic nervous system. Our results show epigenetic changes in CRH gene related to hypersexual disorder in men.
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