Insight Into the Central Control of Overactive Bladder Symptoms by Functional Brain Imaging

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper is to review the data on brain activity in individuals with overactive bladder that has been gleaned by the use of functional neuroimaging.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have demonstrated that there are differences in brain activity in individuals with overactive bladder (including anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and prefrontal cortex activation) and have shown that treatment of overactive bladder results in brain activity changes.

Summary

Functional neuroimaging has provided considerable insight into central nervous system control of micturition and the alterations seen in individuals with overactive bladder. Further work may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of overactive bladder and how its treatments work and thereby allow identification of patient factors that permit individualized counseling.