Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0077oc1.1 | Reproductive and Neuroendocrinology | SFEBES2021

Melanocortin-4 receptor agonism improves sexual brain processing in women with low sexual desire

Thurston Layla , Hunjan Tia , Mills Edouard , Wall Matthew , Ertl Natalie , Phylactou Maria , Muzi Beatrice , Patel Bijal , Alexander Emma , Suladze Sofiya , Modi Manish , Eng Pei , Bassett Paul , Abbara Ali , Goldmeier David , Comninos Alexander , Dhillo Waljit

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most prevalent female sexual health complaint worldwide, affecting 1-in-10 women. It is characterised by a persistent lack of desire for sexual activity and sexual fantasies, causing distress or interpersonal difficulties. Treatment options are limited, however, melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonists have emerged as a promising therapy for HSDD, through unclear mechanisms. Investigating the pathways involved is crucial for our u...

ea0086oc3.6 | Reproductive and Neuroendocrinology | SFEBES2022

Kisspeptin enhances sexual and attraction brain processing in women with low sexual desire

Thurston Layla , Hunjan Tia , Ertl Natalie , Wall Matthew , Mills Edouard , Suladze Sofiya , Patel Bijal , Alexander Emma , Muzi Beatrice , Bassett Paul , Rabiner Eugenii , Bech Paul , Goldmeier David , Abbara Ali , Comninos Alexander , Dhillo Waljit

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a persistent lack of sexual desire, causing marked interpersonal distress. It is the most common global female sexual health problem, although the precise pathophysiology remains uncertain. Existing treatment options are limited by their efficacy and side effects. The neuropeptide kisspeptin offers a potential therapeutic target given its emerging role in modulating reproductive behaviour. Using a combination of psychometric, neuroim...

ea0038ecp1.2 | (1) | SFEBES2015

Kisspeptin- A ‘key regulator’ of reproductive physiology, integrating limbic circuits with the regulation of reproductive hormones

Comninos Alexander , Anastasovska Jelena , Shah Amar , Wall Matthew , Jayasena Channa , Li Xiaofeng , Abbara Ali , Narayanaswamy Shaku , Nijher Gurjinder , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Demetriou Lysia , Clarke Sophie , Ghatei Mohammad , Bell Jimmy , Matthews Paul , Bloom Stephen , O'Byrne Kevin , Dhillo Waljit

Kisspeptin is a recently identified reproductive hormone which serves as a crucial activator of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal (HPG) axis via stimulation of GnRH neurones. We have previously observed that a single kisspeptin injection increases LH pulsatility while twice daily kisspeptin injections can even advance the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that kisspeptin restores LH pulsatility in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea and can potently...

ea0044oc2.1 | Neuroendocrinology and Reproduction | SFEBES2016

Kisspeptin: A Novel Neuroendocrine Modulator of Sexual and Emotional Processing in Men

Comninos Alexander , Wall Matthew , Demetriou Lysia , Shah Amar , Clarke Sophie , Narayanaswamy Shakunthala , Nesbitt Alexander , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Prague Julia , Abbara Ali , Ratnasabapathy Risheka , Salem Victoria , Nijher Gurjinder , Jayasena Channa , Tanner Mark , Bassett Paul , Mehta Amrish , Rabiner Eugenii , Honigsperger Christoph , Dhillo Waljit

Kisspeptin is a crucial activator of reproductive function, playing a critical role in the hypothalamus to activate GnRH neurons and downstream reproductive hormones. However, kisspeptin and its receptor are also expressed in other brain areas, yet little is known about their function here. The limbic system plays a key role in sexual and emotional behaviours and has a high expression of kisspeptin receptors. We therefore hypothesised that kisspeptin administration may modulat...

ea0099oc9.4 | Oral Communications 9: Pituitary and Neuroendocrinology | Part II | ECE2024

Kisspeptin administration does not alter anxiety or circulating cortisol levels in humans

Mills Edouard G , Thurston Layla , Yang Lisa , Suladze Sofiya , Hunjan Tia , Phylactou Maria , Patel Bijal , Clarke Sophie A. , Shah Amar J. , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Tsoutsouki Jovanna , Bech Paul , Ertl Natalie , Demetriou Lysia , Wall Matthew B. , Goldmeier David , Abbara Ali , Comninos Alexander N. , Dhillo Waljit S.

Background: The neuropeptide kisspeptin is a key endogenous activator of the reproductive system. Due to its crucial role in modulating reproductive and behavioural processes, there has been accelerating interest in targeting kisspeptin-pathways to treat reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, contradictory pre-clinical data from animal models suggests that kisspeptin can have an anxiolytic, anxiogenic or have no effects on anxiety. Given the rapid development of kis...

ea0104p142 | Neuroendocrinology | SFEIES24

Kisspeptin does not induce anxiety in humans

G. Mills Edouard , Thurston Layla , Yang Lisa , Suladze Sofiya , Hunjan Tia , Phylactou Maria , Patel Bijal , A. Clarke Sophie , J. Shah Amar , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Tsoutsouki Jovanna , Young Megan , Bech Paul , Ertl Natalie , Demetriou Lysia , B. Wall Matthew , Goldmeier David , Abbara Ali , N. Comninos Alexander , S. Dhillo Waljit

Background: The neuropeptide kisspeptin is a critical endogenous activator of the reproductive system, with escalating clinical interest as a novel therapeutic agent for reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, conflicting animal data suggest that kisspeptin can have anxiolytic, neutral, or anxiogenic effects. Given the rapid development of kisspeptin-based therapeutics, it is important to clarify kisspeptin’s effects on psychometric measures of anxiety and assoc...