Role of the Melanocortin-4 Receptor in Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover physiological study. Designed to evaluate the effects of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) activation on brain activity patterns and behavioural psychometric measures of sexual arousal during visual erotic stimuli in approximately 40 right-handed, heterosexual, premenopausal women aged 18 years and over with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) for at least a 6 month duration.

The investigators aim to recruit approximately 40 women to allow for subject and technical drop-out, aiming for a minimum of 30 women in the final study who complete the full protocol successfully. The investigators will collaborate with the Sexual Medicine clinic to identify potential participants, as well as advertise via print (including local and regional newspapers, transport network), radio and online advertisements. Additionally, the investigators will liaise with the local Clinical Research Network (CRN) to contact potentially eligible patients via their General Practitioner (GP) surgery (via letter or text message). Potential participants who contact us via advertisements will initially be electronically sent a participant information sheet and self-report questionnaire, to be returned via email. If, following this, they are happy to take part and no obvious exclusion criteria are detected, they will be screened via telephone using a questionnaire. If eligible, they will be invited for a formal screening interview, where further questions regarding the study will be answered. After obtaining consent, a full medical and sexual history will be taken as well as a review of the diagnosis of assessment, an ECG, urinalysis to exclude pregnancy, clinical laboratory testing and completion of psychiatric and psychosexual questionnaires.

Eligible participants will then enter the Intervention phase. Participants will be randomised (1:1) to one of two intervention sequences: a single dose of Bremelanotide or matching placebo, administered subcutaneously. All participants will attend for two study visits each, during which they will undergo a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while receiving either Bremelanotide or placebo. During the scan, participants will be presented with visual erotic stimuli in order to activate the brain, so that Bremelanotide's modulation of the melanocortin system can be measured. The participants will also be asked to use a behavioural potentiometer whilst in the scanner to rate their degree of sexual arousal. The crossover design, which allows participants to serve as their own control, will minimise inter-participant variability. Participants will also be sent a short questionnaire 24-hours after the study to assess the perceived duration of effect of Bremelanotide.

The MRI data will be processed and analysed using current best practice methods, which will include (but may not be limited to) application of the General Linear Model (GLM) for neuroimaging data. Robust methods of correcting for multiple comparisons (e.g. permutation testing) will be used for statistical analysis and thresholding of the statistical brain images. Brain activation patterns will be presented by intervention and analysed by whole-brain and region of interest (including amygdala, thalamus, posterior cingulate cortex and entorhinal region. Correlations will be explored between brain activation and behavioural data, corrected for visit order as appropriate (including Pearson and Partial Correlation testing).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Heterosexual premenopausal females ≥ 18 years of age with normal menstrual cycles ≤ 35 days.
* Right hand dominant.
* Body mass index (BMI) 18-35kg/m2.
* Currently in a relationship with a male partner and the relationship has been stable for at least 6 months before screening.
* Male sexual partner classified as "not impotent" on the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) single-question assessment of erectile dysfunction.
* In the subject's opinion, previously experienced "normal sexual function," defined as a normal level of desire at some point in the past, for a period of at least 2 years.
* For all subjects of childbearing potential who are sexually active, agree to routinely use adequate non-hormonal contraception from randomisation throughout the duration of the study and for 30 days after.
* For at least 6 months before Screening, met the diagnostic criteria for HSDD according to the Diagnostic Screening Guide for HSDD, including categorisation of the sexual dysfunction as both acquired (versus lifelong) and generalised (versus situational).
* All of the following at Screening:

  1. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Kroenke et al., 2001) total score is \<10.
  2. PHQ-9 score for Question 9 is 0.

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  1. Either Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score ≤26 if diagnosed with HSDD (with or without symptoms of decreased arousal) or subjects diagnosed with HSDD only (without symptoms of decreased arousal), FSFI desire domain score of ≤5 (regardless of total FSFI score).
  2. Female Sexual Distress Scale - Desire/Arousal/Orgasm (FSDS-DAO) total score is \>18.
* Capable of understanding and complying with the protocol requirements and available for the duration of the study.
* Subjects must have prior experience in viewing sexually explicit material.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cardiovascular disease
* Current diagnosis of uncontrolled hypertension defined as:

  1. Two sequential assessments (seated, approximately 4 minutes apart and no more than 15 minutes apart) with readings above 140 mmHg systolic BP or 90 mmHg diastolic BP, and upon repeat at least 24 hours later.
  2. Treatment for hypertension that has been changed at least once in the 4 weeks prior to Screening.
* Any other medical condition that is unstable or uncontrolled despite current therapy.
* Previously received Bremelanotide.
* A history of unresolved sexual trauma or abuse.
* Female subjects who are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, have a positive serum/urine pregnancy test, or are not willing to use effective contraceptive precautions during the study.
* Participated in any research study within the preceding 30 days of screening.
* Any FSD other than acquired HSDD with or without decreased arousal (e.g. lifelong anorgasmia, sexual pain disorder, sexual aversion disorder, primary female sexual arousal disorder).
* FSD caused by untreated endocrine disease (e.g. hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus).
* Acute or chronic hepatitis.
* In the Investigator's opinion, any urologic or gynecologic condition, such as condyloma, uterine fibroids, vulvar or vaginal lesions, vulvodynia, vaginismus, or pelvic pain that may contribute to impaired sexual activity and function or be a cause of the FSD or that may interfere with the subject's ability to comply with study procedures.
* Receiving any treatment for HSDD (e.g. psychotherapy, physical therapy) at the time of Screening.
* Has used any of the following types of medications, which are prohibited during the study:

  1. Implanted or injected testosterone product within 6 months of Screening.
  2. Within 3 months of Screening:
* Neuroleptics (e.g. risperidone)
* Lithium (e.g. lithium carbonate)
* Antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, bupropion)
* Mood stabilisers (e.g. valproate)
* Benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam, diazepam)
* Cognitive enhancers or stimulants (e.g. donepezil or Adderall®)
* Centrally-acting antihypertensives (e.g. clonidine)
* Any other prescription, non-prescription, hormonal, herbal, or nutritional medication or supplement that the investigators believe would confound the results of the study (e.g. St. John's wort, black cohosh, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate)
* γ-Aminobutyric acid agonists (e.g. Ambien® \[zolpidem\], Lunesta® \[eszopiclone\]) c. Topical or systemic androgen therapy within 30 days of Screening. d. Subject is unwilling or unable to refrain from using the aforementioned products for the duration of the study.
* Mental health history that includes any of the following:

  1. Psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and/or alcohol/substance abuse; depression or alcohol/substance abuse that resolved \>1 year prior to Screening/Visit 1 will not be exclusionary.
  2. Prior suicide attempt or increased suicidality as indicated by a score greater than zero on Questions 1-5 inclusive (interpreted increased risk) and/or Question 20 (interpreted history of suicide) of the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS),
* Any abnormality in vision that would impair viewing images.
* Any contraindication to MRI or otherwise unable to undergo an MRI (e.g. pacemaker, recent wound clips, severe claustrophobia, unable to lay flat).
* Any other condition or subject responsibility that in the Investigator's opinion may interfere with a subject's ability to give informed consent or adhere to the protocol or has the potential to interfere with the studied endpoints or serves as a contraindication to the subject's participation in the study.