DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for sexual dysfunction — screening already-approved drugs against its 14-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleSexual dysfunction maps to a 14-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
approvedLamotrigineApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside sexual dysfunction in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
Cryo-EM structure of Nav1.7 — Lamotrigine has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 8THH, 2.7 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet iyjdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 8THH · 2.7 Å · ligand Lamotrigine (IYJ). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect of psychotropic drugs, particularly antidepressants and antipsychotics. All antidepressants with serotonergic activity can cause mild to severe sexual dysfunction, with decreased libido and delayed orgasm occurring in more than 60% of patients, and anorgasmia or arousal difficulties in about 30%. A 2020 study of 137 psychiatric outpatients (51% male, 49% female, mean age 38) taking fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine or mirtazapine found an overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction of 39%. Paroxetine was the most commonly associated with dysfunction, especially decreased libido (59.6%) and delayed ejaculation (34.4%). Mirtazapine was the least likely to cause sexual dysfunction. Noradrenergic, dopaminergic, or melatonergic antidepressants do not cause sexual dysfunction, though the clinical profile of patients receiving these compounds may differ. Antipsychotics that strongly increase prolactin and block dopamine receptors are also linked to sexual dysfunction, and young patients with psychosis and concomitant erectile or orgasmic difficulties tend to show poor compliance with long-term treatment.
Cardiovascular drugs also contribute to sexual dysfunction, though the evidence base is weak. Most studies are not methodologically robust, few are randomised controlled trials, and most did not use validated rating scales. The majority of research concerns men, with very few studies on women. Older antihypertensives (diuretics, beta-blockers, centrally acting agents) appear to have a negative impact on erectile function, while newer agents such as ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, and nebivolol seem neutral or beneficial. For men, there is only weak evidence supporting specific treatment strategies for drug-induced sexual dysfunction.
Female sexual dysfunction is an underestimated and common problem, with a prevalence exceeding that of male sexual dysfunction, yet genetic research in this area lags far behind. Recent epidemiological and candidate gene studies suggest a strong genetic influence on female sexual function, but these findings need replication on a much larger scale to be definitive. Psychological and interpersonal dimensions are also critical; the major psychological variables affecting female sexual function have been identified, and assessment should include predisposing, precipitating, maintaining, and contextual factors. Collaboration between healthcare practitioners from different disciplines is necessary for evaluation and treatment.
Future treatment targets for biological-based sexual dysfunction include growth factor therapy, gene therapy, stem and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine, but these remain at the stage of scientific investigation. What is still missing are methodologically robust trials that include women, validated outcome measures, large-scale genetic replication studies, and a clear understanding of how to stratify patients by drug class, underlying mechanism, and psychological context. No drug is recommended for treating sexual dysfunction based on these abstracts.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry · 2015 · 172 citations
Sexual side-effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction is a quite frequent issue in clinical practice, mainly in chronic treatments affecting both quality of life and compliance. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last decade fortunately antidepressants and antipsychotic compounds have been deeply screened in order to identify sexual adverse events that were commonly underdiagnosed and previously underestimated by clinicians and perhaps by pharmaceutical companies as well. Some differences in the mechanism of action are the nucleus of this poorly tolerated adverse event. All antidepressants with serotonergic activity can cause mild to severe sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido and delayed orgasm frequently (>60%) or anorgasmia and arousal difficulties sometimes (30%). In contrast, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, or melatonergic antidepressants do not cause sexual dysfunction but perhaps the clinical profile of patients receiving these compounds could be different. Antipsychotics that highly increase prolactin levels and strongly block dopamine receptors could be related to sexual dysfunction as well. Unfortunately, these dysfunctions are present during the long term after the antipsychotic onset to provide continued symptom control and enable recovery. Young patients suffering psychosis and concomitant sexual dysfunction (erectile and/or orgasmic difficulties) tend to show poor compliance in chronic treatments affecting the outcomes. SUMMARY: The implications of psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction in clinical practice are relevant mainly in patients under long-term treatment with previous satisfactory sexual life. Implications for future research about sexual dysfunction in all new treatments should be strongly taken into account.
Pharmacopsychiatry · 2014 · 49 citations · open access
Sexual Dysfunction Related to Drugs: A Critical Review. Part IV: Cardiovascular Drugs
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction is a potential side effect of cardiovascular drugs: this article is a critical review of the current literature. Many studies have been published on this topic. Most of these studies are not methodologically robust, few are RCTs and most did not use a validated rating scale to evaluate sexual functioning. In addition, other methodological flaws limit greatly the conclusions of these studies. Most studies relate to male populations and only a few have been conducted on women. Also, the majority of studies on sexual dysfunction induced by cardiovascular drugs relate to antihypertensive drugs. While there is evidence to suggest that older antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, beta-blockers, centrally acting agents) have a negative impact on erectile function, newer agents seem to have either neutral (ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists) or beneficial effects (i. e., angiotensin receptor blockers, nebivolol). Other cardiovascular drugs analyzed in this review also appear to have an inhibitory action on sexual function. For men, there is some weak evidence supporting the use of specific treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction associated with these drugs. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2014 using the paper and electronic resources of the library of the "Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS)" in Trento, Italy (http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793). The library has access to a wide range of databases including DYNAMED, MEDLINE Full Text, CINAHL Plus Full Text, The Cochrane Library, Micromedex healthcare series, BMJ Clinical Evidence. The full list of available journals can be viewed at http://atoz.ebsco.com/Titles/2793 or at the APSS web site (http://www.apss.tn.it). In completing this review, a literature search was conducted using the key words "cardiovascular", "adrenergic beta antagonist", "α1-adrenoceptor antagonist", "angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor", "angiotensin receptor antagonist", "angiotensin receptor blocker", "beta blocker", "beta receptor antagonist", "calcium channel blocker", "diuretic", "antihypertensive", "sexual dysfunction", "sexual side effects", "treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction". All resulting listed articles were reviewed. CONCLUSION: The review includes studies that investigated the relationship between these drug treatments and sexual dysfunction. The purpose was to identify possible intervention strategies for sexual dysfunction related to these drugs.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine · 2008 · 46 citations
The Genetics and Epidemiology of Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Review
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is an often underestimated and common problem with serious effects on women's quality of life. Despite a high overall prevalence in the female population--exceeding that of male sexual dysfunction--until recently, little research has focused on this area. In contrast to the successful advances of genetic research in a wide variety of human diseases, genetic exploration in FSD lags far behind. AIM: The aim of this review is to acquaint the reader with the current behavioral and molecular genetic research in the field of FSD. Methods. Because of the heterogeneity of the included studies, we are providing a nonsystematic review. RESULTS: Recent epidemiological and candidate gene studies have suggested a strong genetic influence on female sexual functioning. While these findings provide a clear rationale for more genetic research in the field, they need to be replicated on a much larger scale to be definitive. CONCLUSIONS: Successful identification of biomarkers and novel genes underlying FSD should improve the diagnosis, identification, and treatment of different subgroups. Future pharmacotherapeutic approaches to FSD will benefit from novel targets and the concept that individual variations have a genetic component may help destigmatize our views of sexual problems. Burri AV, Cherkas LM, and Spector TD.
Arab Journal of Urology · 2013 · 32 citations · open access
Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction in women: An update
AbstractINTRODUCTION: We reviewed the psychological and interpersonal dimensions of female sexual function and dysfunction. METHODS: We identified articles published in 1970-2013 using the keywords 'female sexual dysfunction', 'sexual desire', 'sexual arousal', 'female orgasmic disorder', 'sex therapy', 'psychotherapy', 'behaviour therapy' and 'Internet therapy'. Over 200 articles were reviewed (Level of evidence 2b). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified the major psychological variables affecting female sexual function. The outcomes of psychological treatment interventions are reported. A collaboration between healthcare practitioners from different disciplines is necessary in the evaluation, treatment and education of female patients with sexual dysfunction. The assessment of female and couples' sexual dysfunction should ideally include an enquiry about the predisposing, precipitating, maintaining and contextual factors.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine · 2010 · 29 citations
Future Sexual Medicine Physiological Treatment Targets
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Sexual function in men and women incorporates physiologic processes and regulation of the central and peripheral nervous systems, the vascular system, and the endocrine system. There is need for state-of-the-art information as there is an evolving research understanding of the underlying molecular biological factors and mechanisms governing sexual physiologic functions. AIM: To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on the current knowledge of the major cellular and molecular targets of biologic systems responsible for sexual physiologic function. METHODS: State-of-the-art knowledge representing the opinions of seven experts from four countries was developed in a consensus process over a 2-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expert opinion was based on the grading of evidence-based medical literature, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. RESULTS: Scientific investigation in this field is needed to increase knowledge and foster development of the future line of treatments for all forms of biological-based sexual dysfunction. This article addresses the current knowledge of the major cellular and molecular targets of biological systems responsible for sexual physiologic function. Future treatment targets include growth factor therapy, gene therapy, stem and cell-based therapies, and regenerative medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Scientific discovery is critically important for developing new and increasingly effective treatments in sexual medicine. Broad physiologic directions should be vigorously explored and considered for future management of sexual disorders.
Prevalence of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction among psychiatric outpatients attending a tertiary care hospital
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in psychiatric outpatients treated with fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine or mirtazapine. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. All patients above 18 years of age, attending psychiatric clinic and taking fluoxetine, paroxetiene, venlafaxine or mirtazapine for various indications were invited to participate in the study. A data collection sheet was designed to document the patients` demographic features, psychiatric diagnosis, type, dose and duration of antidepressant treatment. Sexual side effects` part of Toronto Side Effect Scale (TSES) was used to assess the presence of sexual dysfunction RESULTS: A total of 137 patients (Male: 51%, Female: 49%) were included in the study. The mean age for the participants was 38 years (range: 19-72 years).The number of patients for each antidepressant was as follows: paroxetine (52 patients), fluoxetine (36), mirtazapine (36 patients) and venlafaxine (17 patients). The average duration of the antidepressant use was 3.9 years. The overall prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 39%. Paroxetine was the most common antidepressant associated with sexual dysfunction especially for decreased libido (59.6%) and delayed ejaculation (34.4%). In contrary, mirtazapine was the lowest among antidepressants to cause sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Sexual dysfunction is common among patients treated with antidepressants particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Addressing this side effects early in treatment can improve compliance to treatment and prevent relapse.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy · 2001 · 21 citations
The Use of the Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI) as an Immediate Outcome Measure of Medical Intervention to Treat Female Sexual Dysfunction
AbstractMany medications used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction are still in the experimental phases for use in women. Numerous pharmacological options for women presently under testing include the EROS-CTD clitoral therapy device (Berman et al., 1999b; Billups et al., 2001). In addition to the new medical developments for treating female sexual dysfunction, methods for evaluating sexual responses and efficacy of intervention are evolving as well.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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