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Advances in MRI research on brain structural and functional networks in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation
DENG Qiming  LU Jiaming  ZHANG Xin  ZHANG Bing 

Cite this article as: DENG Q M, LU J M, ZHANG X, et al. Advances in MRI research on brain structural and functional networks in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2026, 17(3): 99-103. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.03.014.


[Abstract] Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is a common male sexual dysfunction that severely impacts the quality of life of both patients and their partners. Previous research has largely focused on psychological factors and peripheral neural mechanisms. In recent years, with the advancement of multimodal MRI technology, scholars have gradually shifted their focus to the level of brain networks to gain deeper insights into the central neural mechanisms of LPE. This article reviews the progress of MRI studies on brain structural and functional networks in patients with LPE, systematically elucidating the role of brain networks in ejaculation modulation and emotional regulation, as well as their abnormal patterns. It further interprets the neural mechanisms of LPE as a brain network disorder, identifies current research limitations, and suggests future research directions. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the development of neural-targeted therapeutic strategies and the improvement of patients' sexual health.
[Keywords] lifelong premature ejaculation;neuroimaging;magnetic resonance imaging;brain structural network;brain functional network

DENG Qiming1   LU Jiaming1*   ZHANG Xin1   ZHANG Bing1, 2, 3  

1 Department of Radiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China

2 Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China

3 Medical Imaging Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China

Corresponding author: LU J M, E-mail: vector_6@163.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-11-27
Accepted  2026-02-22
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.03.014
Cite this article as: DENG Q M, LU J M, ZHANG X, et al. Advances in MRI research on brain structural and functional networks in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2026, 17(3): 99-103. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.03.014.

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