Alpha oscillations predict paroxetine response to low sexual desire in depression

Abstract Background Decreased sexual desire (libido) is one of the most common sexual complaints in patients with depression. It is known that antidepressants have certain effects on sexual life. Paroxetine is one of those antidepressants. However, the sexual adverse effects of paroxetine are unpredictable. This retrospective study aimed at determining the electrophysiological markers of paroxetine treatment effect on sexual desire in patients with depression (N = 56). Methods Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) spectral power across all frequency bands were examined in depressed patients with decreased or normal sexual desire. Analysis of covariance was conducted on baseline qEEG, taking attention condition and severity of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale -HDRS) as covariates. Results Patients whose sexual desire did not improve had higher frontal alpha power and impaired attention function at baseline examination. Limitations The results could be taken as preliminary due to the modest sample size. Conclusion Based on the present findings, it can be concluded that frontal alpha power can be a biomarker of lack of libido improvement after treatment with paroxetine.