The neural model of sexual arousal

The meta-analysis of 58 neuroimaging studies of mainly hetero- and homosexual men viewing erotic
pictures and/or videos, and to a lesser extent heterosexual women, that resulted in the
development of a four-component neuro phenomenological model of sexual arousal. The four
components are described below.

1. Cognitive component: perception and appraisal

The first stage of the model is the cognitive component, where one perceives the sexual visual
stimulus and judges its sexual nature and then focuses attention accordingly, which may lead to the
mental rehearsal of performing a sexual act. Parts of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC),
through connectivity to the limbic reward and emotion systems, as well as areas involved with our
senses, are thought to be promote the recognition and grading of the sex appeal of a stimulus.

This subsequently alters a person’s focus of attention to the sexual stimulus, creating the high
strength of activity observed in visual processing areas of the temporal and occipital lobes. This
includes the extra striate body, which is a specialized area for perceiving the human body. As the
vmPFC is well-connected to all five sensory modalities it is reasonable to assume it would similarly
influence the focus and perception of the other senses; taste, smell, touch and hearing.

2. Emotional component
The amygdala is involved in evaluating the emotional content of a sexual situation, which, along with
the vmPFC, helps to control sensory processing and attention. This emotional processing of the
amygdala is well connected to motivational areas of the brain, therefore guiding sexual behavior.

On the other hand, in experiments involving manual physical arousal or during orgasm, deactivation
of the amygdala was found. Interestingly, similar deactivations are thought to contribute to hyper
sexuality and indiscriminate sexual behavior in individuals with Kluver and Bucy syndrome.

The emotional component is not considered strictly emotional as such, as it also involves the more
physical feelings of pleasure that one experiences the more turned on one becomes. This includes
activations in the left somatosensory cortex that are neurally connected to the genitalia.

3. Motivational component
Intertwined with the emotional component is the motivational component of the sexual arousal
model, and as such heavily involves the dopamine dependent limbic system. Of these areas the
most consistently activated across the studies is the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the thalamus,
the parietal cortex and the hypothalamus.

Processing of these limbic areas is what directs behavior towards a sexual goal, which includes
sexual urges, desires and feelings of reward. While stimulating monkey’s ACC causes an erection, it
seems that in humans, the striatum is the only area currently found to be specific to the emotional-
motivational component of sexual arousal alone, as opposed to general emotional arousal.
 4. Physiological component
Heart racing, blood pressure soaring, genital responses and hormonal changes are all part of the
parcel when it comes to the physiological state of being sexually aroused, preparing the body for
sex. This physiological sexual readiness is also controlled by the brain.

According to the model, activation in the ACC, anterior insula, putamen and hypothalamus
participates in generating autonomic and hormonal responses to sexual arousal. In men, the
hypothalamus, through its control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, is most
associated with male sexual arousal and penile responses to sexual stimuli.