Scientists Discover a Gene in the Brain That Controls Sexual Desire in Men – and It Could Be used to Target Treatments for Male Sex Addiction
A gene has been discovered in the brain that regulates male sexual desire, paving the way for new treatments for sex addiction and dysfunction.
The gene controls an enzyme, called aromatase, which is responsible for converting testosterone into oestrogen in the brain, which drives male sexual activity.
Oestrogen is commonly known as the female sex hormone, but it is needed in high levels to drive libido, and is essential for erectile function.
Without oestrogen being made from testosterone, a man’s sex drive plummets.
Researchers from Northwestern University found that aromatase is produced by a single gene, called Cyp19a1, opening up potential routes to target the enzyme.
By successfully isolating the gene responsible for creating the enzyme, researchers hope to develop drugs to treat male sex addiction and low libido.
The role of aromatase in the brain has been the topic of lots of research, with scientists struggling to understand its purpose.
Related:
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