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Functional imaging and the central control of the bladder
Rajesh Bharat Chhaganlal Kavia1, Ranan Dasgupta, Clare Juliet Fowler
1Department of Uro-Neurology, Institute of Neurology & National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Comparative Neurology
|October 29, 2005
Summary
Urinary continence relies on complex brain control. Functional brain imaging reveals key regions like the pons and periaqueductal gray, alongside higher centers, modulating bladder function and sensation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
Background:
- The central control of bladder function is a complex, multilevel process.
- Advances in functional brain imaging enable human studies on bladder control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review functional imaging studies on the central control of urinary continence.
- To discuss implicated brain regions in bladder control.
Main Methods:
- Review of published functional brain imaging studies.
- Identification and discussion of brain regions involved in continence control.
Main Results:
- Key brain regions implicated include the pons (pontine micturition center, PMC), periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, insula, anterior cingulate gyrus, and prefrontal cortices.
- The PMC and PAG are crucial for supraspinal control of continence and micturition.
- Higher cortical areas modulate bladder sensation and autonomic function.
Conclusions:
- The central control of continence involves a network of brain regions.
- Further research is needed to understand the interaction between these regions for achieving urinary continence.