Neurons in that area control the muscles of erection and ejaculation in men as well as male animals. The antidepressant bupropion may help smokers who wish to kick the habit quit more easily, even in patients without depression, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The first oral medicine for impotence is about to get FDA approval and may be available by April, according to impotence specialists. Between 10 million and 20 million American men suffer from impotence at some point in their lives, and can be due to a number of medical and psychiatric illnesses, as well as post-surgical. The drug, called Viagra, work about 20 minutes after ingestion.
Previous treatments are either very inconvenient or require painful injection.
One study found no difference in homocysteine levels between men who suffered heart attacks from those who did not. However, another study, also published this week, suggested that homocysteine may make heart arteries grow thicker harder, thus less able to carry blood to the muscles of the heart. The jury is still out. Researchers say that a gene that encodes for serotonin transporters, molecules that mop up serotonin when it is no longer needed, may be responsible for a small number of cases of manic-depression. They say that doctors should administer an anesthetic when invasive procedures need to be done, including abortions.