About this Research Topic
Recent evidence from broad CNS research implicates many structures in the central nervous system and spinal cord in the modulation of male sexual behavior. Studies in male rodents and humans have generated some exciting findings that might also have implications for male sexual dysfunctions (like lifelong premature ejaculation (PE)) and possible treatments.
Several investigations have established functional circuitry in the brain involved in all aspects of successful sexual behavior but delineating the neurotransmitter and receptor systems involved are still in its infancy. Although serotonin is clearly involved only a rough picture emerged mainly based on the use of SSRIs asking for further fine-tuning. Other neurotransmitter systems are also involved (e.g. dopamine) but need more fundamental research. Human research into male sexual behavior and dysfunctions (e.g. lifelong PE) should extend to fundamental aspects of differences or changes in the brain and spinal cord, by applying new technologies.
The topic welcomes full-length papers, including research and review papers, on various subjects. We anticipate that the research presented will promote discussion in male sexual behavior research, possibly leading to new hypotheses and methods that can be translated to human sexual disorders.
We welcome research and review manuscripts of, but not limited to the following themes:
• Methods and protocols of measuring sexual behavior in male rodents and humans in order to develop new models that can be used for e.g. drug testing and fundamental research.
• Pharmacological studies in male rodents in (novel) models of sexual behavior with predictive validity for human sexual disorders.
• Brain imaging of sexual processes in human males; both studies in normal and sexually dysfunctional males are welcomed, as are studies on the effects of various drugs or medicines on brain dysfunctions in sexual behavior.
• Because antidepressants, particularly SSRIs are strongly associated with sexual dysfunctions, manuscripts dealing with all aspects of drug-induced dysfunctions in the brain are very welcomed.
• Genetic or genomic studies on male sexual behavior and their influence on the brain, e.g. animal studies using gene knock-out/in or other genetic manipulations.
• Neuroendocrine, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical studies on brain circuitry in the CNS and spinal cord involved in normal and dysfunctional male sexual behavior.
Several investigations have established functional circuitry in the brain involved in all aspects of successful sexual behavior but delineating the neurotransmitter and receptor systems involved are still in its infancy. Although serotonin is clearly involved only a rough picture emerged mainly based on the use of SSRIs asking for further fine-tuning. Other neurotransmitter systems are also involved (e.g. dopamine) but need more fundamental research. Human research into male sexual behavior and dysfunctions (e.g. lifelong PE) should extend to fundamental aspects of differences or changes in the brain and spinal cord, by applying new technologies.
The topic welcomes full-length papers, including research and review papers, on various subjects. We anticipate that the research presented will promote discussion in male sexual behavior research, possibly leading to new hypotheses and methods that can be translated to human sexual disorders.
We welcome research and review manuscripts of, but not limited to the following themes:
• Methods and protocols of measuring sexual behavior in male rodents and humans in order to develop new models that can be used for e.g. drug testing and fundamental research.
• Pharmacological studies in male rodents in (novel) models of sexual behavior with predictive validity for human sexual disorders.
• Brain imaging of sexual processes in human males; both studies in normal and sexually dysfunctional males are welcomed, as are studies on the effects of various drugs or medicines on brain dysfunctions in sexual behavior.
• Because antidepressants, particularly SSRIs are strongly associated with sexual dysfunctions, manuscripts dealing with all aspects of drug-induced dysfunctions in the brain are very welcomed.
• Genetic or genomic studies on male sexual behavior and their influence on the brain, e.g. animal studies using gene knock-out/in or other genetic manipulations.
• Neuroendocrine, neurophysiological and neuroanatomical studies on brain circuitry in the CNS and spinal cord involved in normal and dysfunctional male sexual behavior.
Keywords: sexual dysfunctions, CNS, SSRI, male sexual behavior, brain circuitry
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
