HSDD, Flibanserin, and Eye Dynamics: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial [24I

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Cacioppo neurofunctional model of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) suggests an attentional visual deficit when looking at attractive stimuli, characterized by a deficit in orientation and disengagement. Little is known, however, about the effect of flibanserin on eye dynamics in women with HSDD. METHODS: A total of 24 premenopausal women who met DSM-IV TR criteria for HSDD were randomized to either flibanserin 100mg or placebo over an 8-week period (N=12, flibanserin, N=12 placebo; N=15 heterosexual; N=9 bisexual; mean age: 32.79 ± 9.17 years). Eye movements were recorded in our standard behavioral task i.e., the Desire Intention Task (DIT), in which individuals are instructed to indicate as rapidly and accurately as possible whether or not each visually presented stimulus (e.g., attractive persons of the opposite sex) is sexually desirable to them at the moment of the experiment. Participants then completed a series of self-reported questionnaires (e.g., demographics, level of sexual desire, well-being, anxiety and depression). RESULTS: Results showed an effect of flibanserin on the re-orientation of attention towards attractive stimuli. More precisely, a 2x2x2 repeated measures ANOVA with visit (baseline, 4 weeks) and visual attentional region of interest (face, torso) as within-subjects factors and treatment group (flibanserin, placebo) as a between-subjects factor revealed a significant interaction for duration of first fixation to the face (F(1,21)=5.046, P=.043, ηp2 = .187) and average stimulus duration of fixation from image onset to response (F(1.21)=4.411, P=.047, ηp2 = .167). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a positive effect of flibanserin, but not placebo, on eye movements during DIT.