title: Neuroimaging and sexual behavior: identification of regional and functional differences.
abstract: The neuroanatomical correlates of human sexual desire, arousal, and behavior have been characterized in recent years with functional brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Here, we briefly review the results of functional neuroimaging studies in humans, whether healthy or suffering from sexual disorders, and the current models of regional and network activation in sexual arousal. Attention is paid, in particular, to findings from both regional and network studies in the past 3 years. We also identify yet unanswered and pressing questions of interest to areas of ongoing investigations for psychiatric, scientific, and forensic disciplines.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Behaviors Clinic and Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 29-C Leinbach Drive, Charleston, SC, 29407, USA, chengj@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Secondary
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fedoroff
authors.forename: R Gregg
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Dwyer
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D059906:Neuroimaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology