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Voluntary pelvic floor muscle control--an fMRI study
S Seseke1, J Baudewig, K Kallenberg
1Department of Urology, Georg-August-University, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. srebman@gwdg.de
Neuroimage
|April 1, 2006
Summary
This study reveals brain networks controlling pelvic floor muscles during urination urges. Functional MRI identified activations in the pontine micturition center and periaqueductal gray, aiding understanding of voiding dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
- Functional Neuroimaging
Background:
- Bladder function involves complex central control pathways.
- Previous research identified brain regions like the pontine micturition center (PMC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG) in micturition.
- The specific brain regions involved in pelvic floor muscle control require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the central neural network involved in pelvic floor muscle control during the urge to void.
- To utilize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map brain activity related to pelvic floor muscle actions.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3T.
- 11 healthy women with an urge to void.
- Tasks involved imitating voiding (relaxation) and interrupting voiding (contraction) of pelvic floor muscles.
Main Results:
- Pelvic floor muscle relaxation and contraction showed similar activation patterns in the frontal cortex, sensory-motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia.
- Localized activations were observed in the pontine micturition center (PMC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG).
- This is the first fMRI study to show micturition-related activity in these specific brainstem structures.
Conclusions:
- fMRI can characterize the widespread central network controlling pelvic floor muscles.
- The findings demonstrate the involvement of PMC and PAG in pelvic floor muscle control.
- fMRI holds potential for diagnosing voiding dysfunction by identifying individual disturbance levels.