Seminar Series: Dr. Marco De Tubino Scanavino
Sexual behavior regulation and biomarkers
Marco De Tubino Scanavino 
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Cross-Appointed Assistant Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Associate Scientist
Lawson Health Research Institute
London, Canada
Post-Graduation Professor
Department and Institute of Psychiatry
Hospital das Clinicas
Brazil
Short Biography:
Since 2008, Dr. Scanavino had been a physician assistant at the Day Hospital and Rehabilitation Center of the Institute of Psychiatry, Clinicas Hospital, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, taking care of people with severe mental illnesses. From 2018 to 2021, Dr. Scanavino became a Temporary, Part-time Professor at the University of Sao Paulo Department of Psychiatry. He coordinated the discipline of Clinical Psychiatry for medical students, remodeling it with methods fostering long-lasting learning.
One of Dr. Scanavino's main roles was working in the Excessive Sexual Drive and Prevention of Negative Outcomes associated with the Sexual Behavior Outpatient Unit - AISEP, Institute of Psychiatry, Clinicas Hospital, University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Brazil. He has been the creator and director of AISEP since 2010. He managed, directed, and monitored the development of clinical programs to take care of individuals seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviour, sexual risk behaviour, paraphilic disorder, victims of sexual violence with psychiatric symptoms, people living with HIV with complaints of sexual dysfunction, and people with severe mental illness with complaints of sexual dysfunction.
Dr. Scanavino is also a Professor of the Post-Graduation Program in Experimental Pathophysiology at the University of Sao Paulo Medical School, currently mentoring several Masters's and Doctorate students.
Dr. Scanavino is developing consistent scientific research. His ongoing research projects involve epidemiological, neurobiological, diagnostic, and clinical design studies on compulsive sexual behaviour, sexual violence, sexual dysfunction, and severe mental illness.
Recently, Dr. Scanavino led the Brazilian arm of the ISS—International Sex Survey a large, collaborative, cross-sectional, self-report study using rigorous, preregistered methods in 42 countries and 26 languages.
Dr. Scanavino is appointed Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Cross-Appointed to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, London, Ontario. In Canada, his research focuses on severe mental illness, sexual disorders and sexual aggression.
Abstract:
This seminar will explore Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) and Paraphilic Disorder, along with their connections to violent behavior and potential biomarkers.
CSBD and Paraphilic Disorder are two distinct sexual behavior disorders that significantly affect individuals and society. CSBD is characterized by repetitive, uncontrollable sexual urges that disrupt a person’s daily functioning. In contrast, Paraphilic Disorder involves intense sexual arousal patterns directed toward non-consenting individuals, such as minors, or toward behaviors that cause harm or distress.
Sexual violence is a significant issue in health, social, and legal contexts, and it is closely related to various sexual and mental disorders. Research on the pathophysiology of these disorders is still in its early stages. Preliminary findings represent initial steps toward a better understanding of their underlying mechanisms. In the future, this research may lead to the development of biomarkers for early diagnosis and inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing the risks associated with sexual violence and uncontrolled sexual behavior.
Keywords:
Sexual disorders, sexual behaviour, mental illness, sexual aggression, biomarkers
Date: Friday, November 29
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 3015 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine)
