Dynamic subcortical blood flow during male sexual activity with ecological validity: a perfusion fMRI study.
This study used arterial spin labeling (ASL) fMRI to measure brain perfusion in a group of healthy men under conditions that closely resembled customary sexual behavior. Serial perfusion measures for 30 min during two self-limited periods of partnered penis stimulation, and during post-stimulatory periods, revealed novel sexual activity-related cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes, mainly in subcortical parts of the brain. Ventral pallidum rCBF was highest during the onset of penile erection, and lowest after the termination of penis stimulation. The perceived level of sexual arousal showed the strongest positive association with rCBF in the right basal forebrain. In addition, our results demonstrate that distinct subregions of the hypothalamus and cingulate cortex subserve opposite functions during human male sexual behavior. The lateral hypothalamus and anterior part of the middle cingulate cortex showed increased rCBF correlated with penile erection. By contrast, the anteroventral hypothalamus and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex exhibited rCBF changes correlated with penile detumescence after penile stimulation. Continuous rapid and high-resolution brain perfusion imaging during normal sexual activity has provided novel insights into the central mechanisms that control male sexual arousal.
Georgiadis
Janniko R
JR
Department of Neuroscience-Section Anatomy, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700AD Groningen, The Netherlands. j.r.georgiadis@med.umcg.nl
Farrell
Michael J
MJ
Boessen
Ruud
R
Denton
Derek A
DA
Gavrilescu
Maria
M
Kortekaas
Rudie
R
Renken
Remco J
RJ
Hoogduin
Johannes M
JM
Egan
Gary F
GF
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000502:physiology; D055420:Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult