Kevin McKenna

Kevin McKenna
Associate Professor of Physiology and Urology PhD Johns Hopkins University
K-McKenna@northwestern.edu	Tarry 5-755	(312) 503-7509

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; and (5) analysis of the mechanisms of diabetic impotence.

Selected Publications:

Gonzalez, C.M., Brannigan, R.E., Bervig, T., Zelner, D., Podlasek, C.A., McKenna, K.E., McVary, K.T. (2000) Protein and gene expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms I and III in the rat penile shaft, Journal of Andrology 22:54-61.

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., Steers, W. (2000) Male sexual circuitry. Scientific American 283:70-75.

McKenna, K.E. (2000) Some proposals regarding the organization of the central nervous system control of penile erection. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 24:535-540.

McKenna, K.E. (1999) Central nervous system pathways involved in the control of penile erection. Annu. Rev. Sex Res. 10: 157-183.

Veronneau-Longueville F, Rampin O, Freund-Mercier MJ, Tang Y, Calas A, Marson L, McKenna KE, Stoeckel ME, Benoit G, Giuliano F. (1999) Oxytocinergic innervation of autonomic nuclei controlling penile erection in the rat. Neuroscience 93:1437-1447.

Bancila M, Verge D, Rampin O, Backstrom JR, Sanders-Bush E, McKenna KE, Marson L, Calas A, Giuliano F. (1999) 5-Hydroxytryptamine2C receptors on spinal neurons controlling penile erection in the rat. Neuroscience 92:1523-1537.

McVary, K.T., C. H. Rathnau, and K.E. McKenna. (1997) Sexual dysfunction in the diabetic BB/WOR rat: A role of central neuropathy. Am. J. Physiol. 272:R259-267.

Marson, L. and McKenna, K.E..(1996) CNS cell groups involved in the control of the ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles: A transneuronal tracing study using pseudorabies virus. J. Comp. Neurol. 374:161-179.

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