Pharmacology of the central control of micturition

Micturition is the process whereby urine is collected in the bladder until such time as it is convenient to void. The two phases of the cycle are controlled by several reflexes but the act of voiding is usually initiated voluntarily. To date, pharmacological research on the central control of micturition has concentrated on influences of the brain stem and spinal cord, and in particular of the locus coeruleus, the "pontine micturition reflex centre". Studies have shown that spontaneous bladder motility is affected by agents acting upon receptors for acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, opioids, GABA and glutamate. It is now necessary to extend these studies to conscious animals so that reflex activity is not affected by anaesthesia and the effects of drugs on the collecting and emptying phases can be examined.