Abnormal Resting-State Network Presence in Females with Overactive Bladder

Biomedicines, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061640 · Published: June 5, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigated the brain activity of women with overactive bladder (OAB) compared to healthy women. It used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to examine how different brain regions connect and communicate with each other when the brain is at rest. The research found that women with OAB had weaker connections in certain brain networks, particularly those involved in attention, sensory processing, and bladder control. These weaker connections may contribute to the symptoms of OAB, such as urinary urgency and incontinence. These findings suggest that OAB is not just a problem with the bladder itself but also involves changes in how the brain controls bladder function. This highlights the potential for future treatments that target the brain to improve OAB symptoms.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

12 OAB patients and 12 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
OAB patients had a weaker presence of the salience network (SAN) and default mode network (DMN).
2
Weaker connectivity was observed in OAB patients, particularly within the frontal and prefrontal cortices.
3
The degree of deviation in supraspinal connectivity in OAB patients appears to be an indicator of the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that OAB patients have deficits in resting-state brain connectivity compared to healthy controls. Large-scale brain networks, such as the DMN and the SAN, and their interactions, seem to be disturbed in OAB. Moreover, connectivity to and within frontal/prefrontal cortices is diminished. These findings provide further evidence that etiologies and therapy targets of OAB must be considered beyond the LUT, i.e., on the supraspinal level.

Practical Implications

Supraspinal Targets for OAB Therapy

Future OAB therapy options should consider supraspinal targets to address the brain's role in bladder control.

Neuroimaging for OAB Phenotyping

Neuroimaging techniques should be given more consideration in the quest for better phenotyping of OAB to enable more targeted therapy.

Reevaluation of OAB Diagnosis and Therapy

The diagnosis and therapy of OAB need to be reevaluated beyond the LUT, considering the supraspinal level.

Study Limitations

1
The MRI investigation was only performed once; therefore, no statement can be made about the dynamics or development of the supraspinal connectivity.
2
A generalization of the results to all OAB patients is not permissible due to the mostly multifactorial etiology.
3
The study population is too small for further subgroup analysis.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Urology