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Quintana GR, Birrel M, Marceau S, Kalantari N, Bowden J, Bachoura Y, Borduas E, Lemay V, Payne JW, Cionnaith CM, Pfaus JG. Differential disruption of conditioned ejaculatory preference in the male rat based on different sensory modalities by micro-infusions of naloxone to the medial preoptic area or ventral tegmental area. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3613-3623. [PMID: 31359118 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Male rats trained to associate a neutral odor or rodent jacket on a female with their post-ejaculatory reward state display a preference to ejaculate with females bearing the odor or jacket. This conditioned ejaculatory preference (CEP) can be shifted by systemic administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone (NAL) during training, such that NAL-trained males distribute their ejaculations to females without the cue, relative to saline (SAL)-trained males. OBJECTIVE The present study examined two brain sites, the medial preoptic area (mPOA) or ventral tegmental area (VTA), where the opioid reward state might be induced. METHODS Sexually naïve Long-Evans males were implanted with bilateral guide cannula aimed at either site before they underwent multi-ejaculatory conditioning trials at 4-day intervals with sexually receptive females that bore either an almond odor or rodent tethering jacket. Infusions of NAL (1 μl/side) or SAL (1 μl/side) were made prior to each conditioning trial. All males were infused with SAL prior to a final open-field choice test with two sexually receptive females, one scented and the other unscented, or one jacketed and the other unjacketed. RESULTS Males previously conditioned with SAL in either region showed significant CEP. In contrast, prior infusions of NAL to the mPOA shifted the preference towards the unfamiliar female, whereas prior infusions to the VTA abolished CEP for the odor. Subsequent detection of Fos protein induced by the cue showed that, relative to SAL-treated males, prior experience with NAL in the mPOA suppressed Fos in both the mPOA and VTA, whereas prior experience with NAL in to the VTA suppressed Fos in the VTA alone. CONCLUSIONS Opioid antagonism in the mPOA produces a state of non-reward whereas in the VTA, it produces a state in which the odor does not acquire incentive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo R Quintana
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Morgan Birrel
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Sarah Marceau
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Narges Kalantari
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - James Bowden
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Yvonne Bachoura
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Eric Borduas
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Valerie Lemay
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Jason W Payne
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Conall Mac Cionnaith
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - James G Pfaus
- Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada. .,Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, CP 91193, Xalapa, VER, Mexico.
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Brom M, Both S, Laan E, Everaerd W, Spinhoven P. The role of conditioning, learning and dopamine in sexual behavior: a narrative review of animal and human studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2013; 38:38-59. [PMID: 24211372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Many theories of human sexual behavior assume that sexual stimuli obtain arousing properties through associative learning processes. It is widely accepted that classical conditioning contributes to the etiology of both normal and maladaptive human behaviors. Despite the hypothesized importance of basic learning processes in sexual behavior, research on classical conditioning of the sexual response in humans is scarce. In the present paper, animal studies and studies in humans on the role of pavlovian conditioning on sexual responses are reviewed. Animal research shows robust, direct effects of conditioning processes on partner- and place preference. On the contrast, the empirical research with humans in this area is limited and earlier studies within this field are plagued by methodological confounds. Although recent experimental demonstrations of human sexual conditioning are neither numerous nor robust, sexual arousal showed to be conditionable in both men and women. The present paper serves to highlight the major empirical findings and to renew the insight in how stimuli can acquire sexually arousing value. Hereby also related neurobiological processes in reward learning are discussed. Finally, the connections between animal and human research on the conditionability of sexual responses are discussed, and suggestions for future directions in human research are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirte Brom
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Department of Psychosomatic Gynaecology and Sexology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Stephanie Both
- Department of Psychosomatic Gynaecology and Sexology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Laan
- Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Everaerd
- Department Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Spinhoven
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical, Health and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Rosenberg KP, Carnes P, O'Connor S. Evaluation and treatment of sex addiction. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2013; 40:77-91. [PMID: 23790248 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2012.701268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
There have been several diagnostic labels for persistent, excessive sexual behaviors, often referred in the popular media as sex addiction. Two related diagnoses, Internet addictive disorder and hypersexual disorder, were considered for, but not included in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, most clinicians, even those trained in sexual disorders or addiction medicine, have little to no training in treating sexual compulsivity and cybersex addiction. The authors present the historical context, proposed diagnostic criteria, evaluation protocols, comorbid disorders, speculations about the neuroscience, and treatment recommendations.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Behavior, Addictive/diagnosis
- Behavior, Addictive/physiopathology
- Behavior, Addictive/psychology
- Behavior, Addictive/therapy
- Brain/physiopathology
- Comorbidity
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/diagnosis
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/physiopathology
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/psychology
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders/therapy
- Humans
- Internet
- Male
- Motivation/physiology
- Nerve Net/physiology
- Object Attachment
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/diagnosis
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/physiopathology
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/psychology
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/therapy
- Psychometrics/statistics & numerical data
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sexual Behavior/psychology
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Treatment Outcome
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Georgiadis JR. Doing it … wild? On the role of the cerebral cortex in human sexual activity. SOCIOAFFECTIVE NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY 2012; 2:17337. [PMID: 24693348 PMCID: PMC3960033 DOI: 10.3402/snp.v2i0.17337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We like to think about sexual activity as something fixed, basic and primal. However, this does not seem to fully capture reality. Even when we relish sex, we may be capable of mentalizing, talking, voluntarily postponing orgasm, and much more. This might indicate that the central control mechanisms of sexual activity are quite flexible and susceptible to learning mechanisms, and that cortical brain areas play a critical part. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify those cortical areas and mechanisms most consistently implicated in sexual activity. DESIGN A comprehensive review of the human functional neuroimaging literature on sexual activity, i.e. genital stimulation and orgasm, is made. RESULTS Genital stimulation recruits the classical somatosensory matrix, but also areas far beyond that. The posterior insula may be particularly important for processing input from the engorged penis and coordinating penile responses. Extrastriate visual cortex tracks sexual arousal and responds to genital stimulation even when subjects have their eyes closed. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is also tightly coupled to sexual arousal, but low activity in this area predicts high sexual arousal. CONCLUSION This review has indicated cortical sites where activity is moderated by tactile genital inflow and high sexual arousal. Behavioral implications are discussed and where possible the relevance for learning mechanisms is indicated. Overall, it is clear that the cerebral cortex has something to say about sexual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janniko R Georgiadis
- Department Neuroscience, Section Anatomy, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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