Brain (PET) responses to vaginal-cervical self-stimulation in women with complete spinal cord injury: preliminary findings

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
B Whipple, Barry R Komisaruk

Abstract

Our recent research provides evidence that women with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) at the midthoracic level show perceptual responses to vaginal and/or cervical self-stimulation (for example, pain suppression and sexual response, including orgasm). On the basis of studies in laboratory rats, we hypothesized that the vagus nerves provide a sensory pathway from the vagina, cervix, and uterus directly to the brain in women. To test this hypothesis, we performed a PET-MRI study on two women with complete SCI and 1 woman with no injuries. Whereas control foot stimulation of the women with SCI did not activate the somatosensory thalamus, cervical self-stimulation increased activity in the region of the nucleus of the solitary tract, which is the brainstem nucleus to which the vagus nerves project. These preliminary findings suggest that the vagus nerves can convey genital sensory input directly to the brain in women, completely bypassing SCI at any level.

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Citations

Aug 3, 2012·International Urogynecology Journal·M G MatarazzoS Caruso
Nov 26, 2010·Biology of Reproduction·Lindsey A ClydeSteven M Yellon
Dec 18, 2004·Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·Lotti Helström, Bo Nilsson
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Mar 12, 2008·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Stuart Brody, Rui Miguel Costa
May 10, 2008·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Frédérique CourtoisMarc Bélanger
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Dec 12, 2013·Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy·Jackie D CrampDavid S Ditor
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Jul 22, 2015·Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics·Salvatore Giovanni VitaleAntonio Cianci

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