Abstract
Penile erection is completely dependent on commands from the central nervous system. Spinal centers controlling penile erection are located in the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spinal cord. These centers are activated by information from the periphery and supraspinal nuclei so as to elicit penile erection in a variety of physiological contexts. A small number of nuclei including the locus coeruleus located in the pons sends noradrenergic fibers to the forebrain and spinal cord, including those areas controlling penile erection. Recent morphological techniques such as in situ hybridization and autoradiography using radioligand binding permit investigation of the brain and spinal pathways utilizing alpha adrenoceptor subtypes. Furthermore, pharmacological experiments suggest a modulatory role for noradrenaline in the control of penile erection either in the brain or in the spinal cord. The most robust evidence is that central inhibition of alpha-2 adrenoceptors facilitates sexual function. Taken together, the data propose new directions in the physiological exploration of penile erection and the therapeutic approach of erectile dysfunction.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Giuliano, F., Rampin, O. Central noradrenergic control of penile erection. Int J Impot Res 12 (Suppl 1), S13–S19 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900509
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900509
- Springer Nature Limited
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Brain potentials related to corpus cavernosum electromyography
International Journal of Impotence Research (2010)
-
Brain potentials related to the human penile erection
International Journal of Impotence Research (2009)
-
New achievements and pharmacotherapeutic approaches to impotence in the elderly
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research (2003)