Sexual response
cycle refers to the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a
person becomes sexually aroused and participates in sexually stimulating
activities. It has been well known that the sexual
response cycle can be modulated by a variety of external factors, such as
prescriptions and medical disorders, through a modification of the central
monoamines. The most common one is the use of antidepressants or antipsychotics
which increases the synaptic serotonin (5HT) level
or decreases the activity of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) at
the prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex. Romantic love evolves and serves for sexual attraction, bonding and
attachment. Although the circuit of romantic love has recently been delineated,
the biological impact on romantic love is barely mentioned in human,
however.
In thus study, a comprehensive literature review was completed
to elucidate the role of central monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine, epinephrine, melatonin and histamine, for the romantic love and
relationship in human. The
results showed that the central circuit of romantic love included
the mesolimbic and mesocortical tract and their extensions widely distributed
in cortical, subcortical and brainstem structures. The activation of brain foci
progressively decreased along with the romantic relationship in many areas,
including the bilateral caudate and ventral tegmentum area without change of
passionate love. Hyperactivity of dopamine and serotonin was suggested at the
synaptic level for romantic love in lovers, probably through an inhibition of
transporters or increase of terminal release. Romantic love can be modulated by
antidepressants or recreational drugs. Polymorphism of dopamine and serotonin
receptor related to the romantic relationship. The effect of other monoamines
was barely mentioned.
In conclusion, romantic love is vulnerable for secondary effect, such as drugs which
modulate the dopamine and serotonin, in human. Romantic relationship is also
impacted by the polymorphism of monoamine receptors. Therefore, the biological
effect is not limited to sexual response cycle but also the romantic love and
relationship. Further investigation is warranted for understanding the
secondary effect in romantic love for romantic dissolution or divorce.
Article
by Wei-Hsi Chen, et al, from Taiwan.
Full
access: http://mrw.so/10DbAv
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