Serge Carrier, MD

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection of sufficient rigidity for sexual intercourse affects more than 20 million men in USA and 3 million in Canada. Innovative research in animal models and humans have provided new insight into the underlying anatomy, biochemistry and neurophysiology which forms the basis of the normal erectile response. Even though it has been estimated that 55% of men are impotent by the age of 75, erectile dysfunction should not be considered a normal consequence of aging. In our laboratory, we are trying to prevent the decrease in function occurring with age in men.
Genitourinary complications are major sources of morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus. Clinical and experimental data indicate that glycemic control alone is insufficient to prevent the development of or correct erectile dysfunction. Oxidative stress has recently been implicated but not confirmed in the pathogenesis of some diabetic complications.
Our preliminary findings suggest that bladder and erectile dysfunction may be caused by oxidative stress and that the use of reactive oxygen species scavengers may prevent the occurrence of these complications. Furthermore, the expression of oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats are returned to normal values by antioxidant administration. These results have urged us to further study this possible association of oxidative stress and diabetic urological complications.
Our long-term objective is to elucidate the neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of erection and to develop the best strategy for treating erectile dysfunction due to ageing, penile nerve injury and other diseases, such as diabetes.