My research focuses on the spinal cord control of autonomic function, with a particular interest in the neural control of sexual function. A special focus is the comparison of the spinal cord circuitry controlling sexual function in males and females. This research involves an integrated approach, using modern neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and pharmacological techniques.

Specific projects include: (1) identification of the somatic and autonomic afferents and efferents innervating pelvic organs, using retrograde tracing techniques; (2) study of the mechanisms of sexual reflexes in both male and female rats using a novel preparation; (3) analysis of the descending control of sexual function using physiological, pharmacological and anatomical techniques; (4) study of the neural control of prostatic secretion and prostatic growth using physiological, pharmacological, anatomical, and biochemical techniques; (5) analysis of the mechanisms of diabetic impotence; and (6) mechanisms of dietary-induced sexual dysfunction.
Kevin McKenna
Associate Professor
PhD Johns Hopkins University
k-mckenna@northwestern.edu
Tarry 5-755
(312) 503-7509
 

Selected Publications:

Podlasek C.A., Meroz C.L., Tang Y., McKenna K.E., McVary K.T., Regulation of Cavernous Nerve Injury Induced Apoptosis by Sonic Hedgehog. Biol Reprod. 2007 76: 19-28.

Hull, E.M., Wood, R.I., McKenna, K.E. Neurobiology of male sexual behavior, in: Knobil and Neill’s Physiology of Reproduction, Third Edition, J.D. Neill, ed. Elsevier, 2006.

McKenna, K.E., The central control and pharmacological modulation of sexual function, in: Biological Substrates of Human Sexuality, J.S. Hyde (ed.), American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C., 2005.

Coolen, L.M., Allard, J., Truitt, W.A., McKenna, K.E., Central regulation of ejaculation. Physiol Behav. 83: 203-15, 2004.

Rampin, O., Monnerie, R., Jérôme, N., McKenna, K.,Maurin, Y., The spinal control of erection by glutamate in rats. Am. J. Physiol. 286: R710–R718, 2004.

Rosen, R.C. and McKenna, K.E., PDE-5 inhibition and sexual response: Pharmacological mechanisms and clinical outcomes. Ann. Rev. Sex. 13:36-88, 2002.

Giuliano, F., Bernabé, J., Longueville, F., McKenna, K.E., and Rampin, O., Spinal proerectile effect of oxytocin in anesthetized rats. American Journal of Physiology, 280: R1870-R1877, 2001.

Goldstein, I., Bancroft, J., Giuliano, F., Heaton, J., Lewis, R., Lue, T., McKenna, K.E., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R., Sachs, B.D., Segraves, R.T., and Steers, W., Male sexual circuitry, Scientific American 283: 70-75, 2000.

McVary, K.T., Rathnau, C. H., and McKenna, K.E., Sexual dysfunction in the diabetic BB/WOR rat: A role of central neuropathy. American Journal of Physiology, 272: R259-267, 1997.

McKenna, K.E., Chung, S.K., and McVary, K.T., A model for the study of sexual function in anesthetized male and female rats. American Journal of Physiology, 261: R1276-1285, 1991.

Marson, L. and McKenna, K.E., The identification of a brainstem site controlling spinal sexual reflexes in the male rat. Brain Research, 515: 303-308, 1990.

McKenna, K.E. and Nadelhaft, I., Organization of the pudendal nerve of the male and female rat. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 248: 532-549, 1986.

 

 

 
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