To find better treatments for erectile dysfunction, scientists have begun to study the mechanics of maintaining an erection.
THURSDAY, Sept. 27, 2012 —
Erections are caused by the release of nitric oxide, a neurotransmitter that's produced in the nerve tissue, which helps the muscles to relax and allows blood to flow to the penis. But the new paper, published in the journal Proceedings,after
"We now have an all together better understanding of this mechanism," says Dr. Burnett. "We can now exploit that with possibly new therapies that will target that mechanism."
Dr. Burnett and his team used tiny electrodes to stimulate the mice. "The basic biology of erections at the rodent level is the same as in humans," he explains.
There are some 30 million men suffering from erectile dysfunction, and several causes have been identified that include poor blood flow, heart disease, and/or obesity. Erectile dysfunction is also a side effect of many common medications, including antidepressants, diuretics, and beta-blockers.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019