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SST neurons in the periaqueductal gray regulate urination and bladder function.

Junan Yan1,2,3, Ziyan Gao4, Xianping Li5,6

  • 1Center for Neurointelligence, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. junan_yan@aliyun.com.

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|April 21, 2025
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Scientists identified somatostatin (SST)-expressing neurons in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) that control urination. Activating these neurons triggers urination, while inhibiting them stops it, revealing a key pathway for bladder control.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Urology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Urination is a complex physiological process controlled by central neural circuits.
  • The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a known control center for urination, but specific neuron types involved are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify specific neuronal subtypes within the lateral and ventrolateral PAG (l/vlPAG) that regulate the process of urination.
  • To elucidate the neural pathways involved in micturition control originating from the l/vlPAG.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of somatostatin (SST)-expressing neurons in the l/vlPAG.
  • Recording neuronal activity in freely moving animals during urination.
  • Optogenetic activation and inhibition of SST-expressing neurons.
  • Investigating projections to the pontine micturition center (PMC) and effects after pelvic nerve transection.

Main Results:

  • SST-expressing neurons in the l/vlPAG showed activity correlated with urination onset.
  • Optogenetic activation of these neurons induced urination and bladder contraction.
  • Inhibition of these neurons suppressed ongoing urination.
  • Activation of l/vlPAG SST+ neurons projecting to the PMC triggered urination, an effect dependent on the pelvic nerve.

Conclusions:

  • l/vlPAG SST-expressing neurons are critical regulators of urination.
  • These neurons control micturition via the PAG-PMC pathway.
  • This study offers new insights into bladder control mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for urinary dysfunction.