Sexual arousal decreases the functional synchronization between cortical areas in young men.
The prefrontal cortex and its connections with other cortical areas participate in processing erotic stimuli and hence sexual arousal. Visual erotic stimuli elicit sexual arousal that is associated with changes in electroencephalographic activity. The electroencephalographic correlation analysis provides information on the functional synchronization among areas. This study analyzed the functional interaction among the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal cortices during sexual arousal in young men induced by observing erotic photographs. In 2 groups of heterosexual men-an erotic stimulation group and a neutral stimulation group-the authors recorded electroencephalograms at the F3, F4, T3, T4, P3, and P4 derivations under 2 conditions: baseline and visual stimulation. Heart rate was monitored as a measure of peripheral activation. Participants in the erotic stimulation group reported a moderate degree of sexual arousal and a decrease in heart rate. Decreased inter- and intrahemispheric correlations of the fast frequencies were obtained only in erotic stimulation. These data support differential hemisphere participation in modulating sexual arousal and show that decreased synchronization patterns between prefrontal and posterior cortices (parietal and temporal) favor sexual arousal in young men. The results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the central nervous system's mechanisms that underlie sexual arousal.
Universidad de Guadalajara, Instituto de Neurociencias, Colonia Arcos-Vallarta, Guadalajara, Mexico. mariselh@cencar.udg.mx
Marisela
M
Hernández-González
Claudia
C
Amezcua Gutiérrez
Araceli Sanz
AS
Martin
Koral Rivera
KR
Sánchez
Miguel Angel
MA
Guevara
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004882:Erotica / Q000523:psychology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult