Task Modulation of Resting-State Functional Gradient Stability in Lifelong Premature Ejaculation: An FMRI Study

Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is associated with abnormal brain function, as evidenced by functional MRI (fMRI) studies. This study investigates the stability of brain network architectures in resting-state conditions following perturbation by erotic tasks in individuals with LPE. We assessed the resting-state fMRI in the task-free and task-modulated dataset in the 28 right-hand LPE and 17 age-matched normal controls (NCs). The dynamic functional connectome based on the phase-locking algorithm and ROI-wise gradient mapping was compared. The stability of dynamic functional gradient mapping was measure by linear mixed effects across the two datasets in the LPE and NCs. In both groups, the brain functional gradient exhibited a clear transition from unimodal to transmodal in the principal gradient. Additionally, there was a segregation of primary networks observed in the secondary gradient, either before or after the task. In LPE patients, we observed increased stability in the bilateral dorsal prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) and right temporo-occipital-parietal cortex (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) between the pre- and post-task fMRI datasets. The changes of the gradient stability were significantly correlated with the sexual behavior. Our findings suggest that dysfunction in the salience and default mode networks may contribute to delayed recovery from erotic task stimulation in LPE patients.