NCJ Number
140714
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 18 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 89-108
Date Published
1992
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Evidence in support of three hypotheses concerning buspirone's effect on sexual functioning is discussed, and directions for future research recommended.
Abstract
The first hypothesis is that buspirone's facilitation of sexual functioning is not due solely to its anxiolytic effects. While a clinical trial and case study involving persons with sexual dysfunctioning problems support this hypothesis, prospective randomized studies in which both frequency of nonparaphiliac and paraphiliac sexual arousal and activity are measured would more adequately test it. The second hypothesis is that buspirone facilitates nonparaphiliac arousal, but inhibits paraphiliac arousal. The author recommends the use of self-reports and standardized phallometric protocols that would allow for more careful measurements of both types of sexual function to confirm this hypothesis. The final hypothesis is that buspirone's efficacy in reducing paraphiliac arousal is related to its efficacy in reducing OCD symptoms, potentially through its effects on serotonergic neurotransmitter systems. The relationship between serotonergic treatments and sexual behavior remains unclear and further research into the association between buspirone's effect on compulsive behaviors is recommended. 52 references