Brain responses during the first desire to void: a positron emission tomography study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Urology

Background:

• The first sensation of needing to urinate, known as the first desire to void (FDV), is a complex physiological process.
• Understanding the neural correlates of FDV is crucial for diagnosing and managing bladder dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific brain regions activated during the first desire to void (FDV).
• To differentiate brain activity between the FDV state and a resting state.

Main Methods:

• Utilized positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure regional cerebral blood flow.
• Compared brain activity in six healthy males during FDV and a resting (post-voiding) state.
• Employed non-invasive methods including a urinary volume monitoring unit and external condom catheter.

Main Results:

• FDV was associated with increased blood flow in the right and left cerebellum, right parahippocampal gyrus (BA30), left superior frontal gyrus (BA9), and left cingulate gyrus (BA32).
• Regional cerebral blood flow in the periaqueductal gray and pons significantly increased during FDV compared to the resting state.
• The resting state showed decreased blood flow in several temporal and frontal regions.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully located brain activity associated with the sensation of FDV.
• The combined activation of the cerebellum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus is likely linked to the FDV sensation.