2001 — 2003 |
Meston, Cindy M |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Ginkgo Biloba: Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction @ University of Texas Austin
Virtually all antidepressant medications are associated with a high incidence of adverse sexual side effects. In women, the side effects most commonly reported include decreased sexual arousal with decreased lubrication, delayed or inhibited orgasm, and decreased sexual desire. To date, there are no effective pharmacological antidotes for treating these sexual side effects. Gingko biloba extract (GBE), a naturally occurring substance from the ancient Chinese Gingko tree, has properties proven to increase peripheral blood flow and to facilitate the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. Its effectiveness in this regard has been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials that show gingko biloba to be highly efficient in treating peripheral vascular disorders. Female sexual arousal involves a complex interplay of these very actions - the relaxation of smooth muscle tissue and the inflow of blood to the genital region. Hence, pharmacologically, it is feasible that GBE may be effective in enhancing female sexual arousal. Moreover, given that the mechanisms hypothesized to facilitate female sexual function are operative at a peripheral rather than a central (i.e., neurotransmitter) level, it is unlikely that GBE would adversely impact the mood-alleviating therapeutic effects of antidepressant medications that are believed to be centrally mediated. Limited, uncontrolled studies lend support to this hypothesis. The purpose of the present study is to provide the first empirical examination of the effects of both acute and chronic GBE on subjective and physiological measures of sexual function in women who are experiencing clinically diagnosable hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, and/or inhibited female orgasm secondary to either to fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine use. Women (N = 110) stabilized on antidepressant medication and free of a current Axis I disorder will be randomized to 8 weeks of daily treatment with either GBE (200 mg) or placebo. Sexual functioning will be assessed through (a) daily patient diary recordings, (b) patient-rating scales completed each week, and (c) blind independent evaluator ratings. The acute effects of GBE will also be assessed using vaginal photoplethysmograph techniques to assess genital blood flow, both prior to and following chronic GBE treatment. The findings from the present study will (a) help determine whether chronic and/or acute GBE facilitates sexual function in women with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and, (b) examine whether acute GBE influences vaginal measures of sexual arousal. If effective, GBE could play a significant adjunctive role in the treatment of clinical depression and other psychological disorders commonly treated with antidepressant medications.
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0.958 |
2006 — 2010 |
Meston, Cindy M |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Effects of Early Abuse On Adult Intimate Relationships @ University of Texas Austin
[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Findings indicate that a history of childhood abuse (CA) is associated with the tendency to engage in high- risk behaviors and to experience a number of psychological disturbances known to adversely impact intimate relationships. Despite these well-substantiated findings, little research has examined the mechanisms by which these detrimental effects occur and/or are maintained in adulthood. The overall objective of the proposed investigation is to begin understanding these processes. To this end, we propose to conduct two studies and to further develop a codebook for human-aided content analyses of intimacy themes expressed in language. Study 1 will explore the potential mediational role of intimacy schemas, psychological adjustment (depression, PTSD, substance abuse), and physiological reactivity in the relation between CA and adverse intimacy consequences in adulthood. Information on intimacy schemas will be derived by conducting human-aided content analyses and computer-aided language analyses of control and intimacy- relevant essays written by 150 women with, and 150 women without, a history of CA. Cortisol and heart rate variability will be measured throughout the essay writing and will serve as indicators of physiological reactivity. Study 2 will be the first study to examine whether a writing intervention that focuses specifically on intimacy themes will impact intimacy adjustment among women with a history of CA. In other populations, Pennebaker et al. have found that writing about emotionally relevant themes causes beneficial changes in numerous psychological, behavioral and physiological indices. In Study 2,165 women with a history of CA and intimacy difficulties will be randomly assigned to write about either: 1) time management (control), 2) a past traumatic experience, or 3) intimacy-relevant schemas. Pre- and post- (1, 3, 6, months) writing intervention assessments will be conducted to examine the impact of the writing interventions on intimacy variables. If changes on intimacy outcome variables are seen, the degree to which changes in intimacy schemas, psychological adjustment, and physiological reactivity mediate these changes will be assessed. Education and SES will be tested as potential moderators or general covariates in both studies. The findings from this investigation will have implications for understanding both the psychological and physiological mechanisms that link CA with detrimental intimacy/relational factors in adulthood. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]
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0.958 |