title: Stimulant-induced enhanced sexual desire as a potential contributing factor in HIV transmission.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stimulant abuse is associated with an increased risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although sharing of contaminated needles is one of the routes by which HIV is spread, noninjection abusers are also at high risk. The authors investigated the effect of the stimulant drug methylphenidate (given intravenously) on sexual desire as a possible contributing factor to risky sexual behavior associated with the contraction of HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of intravenous methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg) on self-reports of sexual desire (rated from 0-10) were evaluated in 39 comparison subjects and 39 cocaine abusers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intravenous methylphenidate significantly increased self-reports of sexual desire in comparison subjects (1.4 versus 3.7) and cocaine abusers (2.8 versus 4.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stimulant-induced enhancement of sexual desire could be one mechanism by which stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine increase the risk for HIV transmission even when they are not injected.
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Blvd., Rm. 5274, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. nvolkow@nida.nih.gov
authors.forename: Nora D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Volkow
authors.forename: Gene-Jack
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Joanna S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Telang
authors.forename: Millard
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jayne
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010919:Placebos; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010919:Placebos; D008774:Methylphenidate; D008694:Methamphetamine