Altered Glutamate and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Metabolism in the Thalamus and Prefrontal Cortex of Patients with Lifelong Premature Ejaculation

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