Altered Glutamate and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Metabolism in the Thalamus and Prefrontal Cortex of Patients with Lifelong Premature Ejaculation
Abstract
Purpose: Purpose: Previous neuroimaging studies have found abnormalities in the brain structure or functional connectivity of patients with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE), but the differences in neurotransmitters in relevant brain regions remain unclear.This study aimed to explore the correlation between the central main excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate (Glu) and inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with LPE. Materials and Methods: Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 50 LPE patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs).Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy measured Glu, GABA, and creatine levels in the right thalamus and prefrontal cortex.Premature ejaculation symptoms were assessed using the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT).Results: Results: After excluding invalid data, 42 LPE patients and 42 HCs were included.LPE patients showed elevated Glu levels (thalamus: 10.32 vs. 8.59, p<0.001; prefrontal cortex: 9.33 vs. 8.02, p<0.01) and Glu/GABA ratios (thalamus: 4.75 vs. 3.25, p<0.001; prefrontal cortex: 5.45 vs. 4.27, p<0.001), along with reduced thalamic GABA (2.28 vs. 2.27, p<0.001).Glu levels and Glu/GABA ratios positively correlated with PEDT scores, while GABA levels negatively correlated with PEDT.Additionally, GABA levels were higher in LPE patients with good sleep quality than in those with poor sleep (thalamus: 2.50 vs. 2.24, p=0.014; prefrontal cortex: 1.84 vs. 1.63, p<0.01).Conclusions: Conclusions: This…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
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