Resting-state magnetic resonance imaging study of the brain in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction

JIANG Binjian; DAI Ning; XU Chunsheng; YANG Yanyan; WU Zongchuan; CHEN Jiajie; WU Zijian

Abstract：Objective To investigate the changes in brain function in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction(pED)and their relationship with abnormal social and psychological states.Methods In this study,10 pED patients and 20 healthy subjects were selected for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI),and the differences between groups were compared by two-sample t test.The correlation between different brain regions and clinical characteristics was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis.In addition,the anterior and posterior central gyri were used as regions of interest(ROI),and the FC values of the whole brain were calculated,and the results were corrected by multiple comparisons.Results 1)There were significant differences in IIEF-5,SAS,and SDS scores(P<0.01),IIEF-5 in pED patients was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects,while,SAS and SDS scores were higher than those in healthy subjects;2)The ALFF values of the right assis-tant motor area and the left caudate nucleus increased in pED patients;3)The ReHo values of the putamen and the right assis-tant motor area increased in pED patients,while,the ReHo values of the right cerebellar cortex area decreased in pED patients;4)The FC between the anterior central gyrus and the right posterior cerebellar lobe,the right middle frontal gyrus,the right angu-lar gyrus,and the right precuneus was increased;5)The FC between the posterior central gyrus and the right orbital middle fron-tal gyrus,the right central sulcus cap,and the right precuneus was increased;and 6)The ALFF values of the left caudate nucleus and the right assistant motor area were positively correlated with IIEF-5,Self-esteem and erotic relationship question-naire(SEAR),and erectile function quality questionnaire(QEQ)in pED patients.The putamen was positively correlated with the right accessory motor area,while the ReHo value of the right cerebellar cortex Crus2 area was negatively correlated with IIEF-5,SEAR,and QEQ scores.Conclusion The abnormal activity of SMA,caudate nucleus and putamen in pED patients is closely related to sexual function and psychological state,and the abnormal anterior central gyrus and posterior central gyrus-DMN connectivity in pED patients may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of pED.