Brain imaging and bladder function

Abstract

Growing evidences are now available as for bladder function and neuroimaging using positron emission tomography etc. Studies showed that the brain is activated during bladder filling particularly in the prefrontral cortex, anterior and middle cingulate gyrus, supplementary motor area, all of which have previously been referred to as the 'frontal micturition center' by exploring brain area in patients with stroke, tumor, multiple sclerosis etc. It is therefore likely that the brain is actively participating in the higher control of micturition. In this symposium we present recent neuroimaging findings (PET, SPECT, NIRS) relevant to micturition, which would facilitate to help patients with bladder dysfunction due to brain diseases.