• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2019

Individuals with problematic hypersexual behavior (PHB) evince the inability to control sexual impulses and arousal. Previous studies have identified that these characteristics are related to structural and functional changes in the brain region responsible for inhibitory functions. However, very little research has been conducted on the functional connectivity of these brain areas during the resting state in individuals with PHB. Therefore, this study used functional magnetic resonance imaging devices with the intention of identifying the deficit of the functional connectivity in the executive control network in individuals with PHB during the resting state. Magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained for 16 individuals with PHB and 19 normal controls with similar demographic characteristics. The areas related to the executive control network (LECN, RECN) were selected as the region of interest, and the correlation coefficient with time series signals between these areas was measured to identify the functional connectivity. Between groups analysis was also used. The results revealed a significant difference in the strength of the functional connectivity of the executive control network between the two groups. In other words, decreased functional connectivity was found between the superior/middle frontal gyrus and the caudate, and between the superior/middle frontal gyrus and the superior parietal gyrus/angular gyrus in individuals with PHB. In addition, these functional Connectivities related to the severity of hypersexual behavior. The findings of this study suggest that the inability to control sexual impulses and arousal in individuals with PHB might be related to the reduced functional connectivity of executive control circuits.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2009

Purpose: The authors analyzed how the regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) findings of patients with major depression differ from the normal control, and our results were compared to previous reports. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for major depression who were off all psychotropic medications for > 4weeks(male: 7, female: 5, age range: $19{\sim}52$ years, average age: $29.3{\pm}9.9$ years) and 14 normal volunteers(male: 8, female: 6, age range: $19{\sim}53$ years, average age: $31.4{\pm}9.2$ years) were recruited. Images of brain perfusion SPECT were obtained using Tc-99m ECD and patterns of the rCBF were compared between patients with major depression and the healthy control subjects. Results: The patients with major depression showed increase of the r-CBF in right lingual gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left precuneus, and left superior temporal gyrus, and showed decrease of r-CBF in right pons, left medial frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus of left limbic lobe, cingulate gyrus of right frontal lobe, and cingulate gyrus of right limbic lobe compared to the normal control. Conclusion: The Tc-99m ECD brain perfusion SPECT findings in our study did not differ from the previously reported regional cerebral blood flow pattern of patients with major depression. Especially, decreased rCBF pattern typical to major depression patients in the right pons, left medial frontal gyrus, and cingulate regions was clearly demonstrated.