Brain potentials related to the human penile erection

Abstract

The aim of this study was to elucidate the brain processes preceding penile responses. Electroencephalographic (EEG) potentials and penile circumference were recorded simultaneously while male subjects were exposed to visual sexual stimuli (VSS). The trials were sorted by the penile response of the subjects (erection, maintenance or detumescence). The corresponding EEG recordings were then subjected to independent component analysis. We found that 200 ms after VSS onset brain potentials differ according to the genital response to follow. Whereas early posterior negativity (EPN) was predominantly related to erection and maintenance, P3-like activity was found to precede detumescence. EPN indicates a more 'emotional' processing state of the brain, whereas P3-like activity related to detumescence indicates a more 'cognitive' processing state. The latter is assumed to reflect activity of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system. Further research should evaluate the contribution of P3-related brain activity to psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

Brain potentials related to corpus cavernosum electromyography

“…This finding is in accordance with previous findings, indicating that penile responses are processed at a pre-attentive (non-conscious) level. 7 This finding is now extended by the observation that autonomous input to the CC follows this preattentive processing at an early time point.…”

“…As described elsewhere in more detail, 7 seven out of eight components showed significant differences relative to the genital responding of the subjects (component-1 failed to differentiate between the response types, probably because this component reflects brain activity related to eye movements of the subjects).…”

“…In a previous paper, we presented EEG brain potentials related to penile response that were recorded during visual sexual stimulation. 7 Using independent component analysis (ICA) seven components of EEG brain activity were identified, which effectively differentiated between different penile responses (erection, maintenance and detumescence). Moreover, preliminary evidence was found that just 200 ms after visual sexual stimuli onset brain potentials differ according to the succeeding genital response.…”

An Unusual Case of Neurogenic Sexual Dysfunction Due to Lead Exposure

“…Five physiologic phases of normal male sexual cycle consists of libido, penile erection, emission and ejaculation [7], orgasm [8], and detumescence of penis [9]. Male sexual function integrates several pathways which include, cerebrospinal, psychogenic, endocrine, vascular, autonomic, somatic and smooth muscle, skeletal muscle and rigid tunica albuginea and envelopes of dual corpora cavernosa.…”

Automaticity of Early Sexual Attention: An Event-Related Potential Study

“…150–200 ms after onset) at posterior and occipital sites ( Bailey et al, 2012 ; Legrand et al, 2013 ; Prause, Steele, Staley, Sabatinelli, & Hajcak, 2015 ; Schupp et al, 2004 ). This EPN has also been linked to penile erection ( Ponseti et al, 2009 ). A later, positive slow wave (PSW; 250–500 ms) was also frequently reported in studies on erotic pictures ( Briggs & Martin, 2009 ; Deweese et al, 2016 ; Feng, Wang, Wang, et al, 2012 ; Hietanen et al, 2014 ; Oliver et al, 2016 ; Price et al, 2012 ).…”