Central Regulation of Micturition and Its Association With Epilepsy.
- Author:
Hyun Jong JANG
1
;
Min Jung KWON
;
Kyung Ok CHO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Micturition; Central regulation; Epilepsy; Reflex epilepsy; Urinary dysfunction
- MeSH: Brain; Epilepsy*; Epilepsy, Reflex; Gyrus Cinguli; Pathology; Physiology; Pons; Prefrontal Cortex; Reflex; Seizures; Spinal Cord; Urinary Bladder; Urination*
- From:International Neurourology Journal 2018;22(1):2-8
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Micturition is a complex process involving the bladder, spinal cord, and the brain. Highly sophisticated central neural program controls bladder function by utilizing multiple brain regions, including pons and suprapontine structures. Periaqueductal grey, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex are components of suprapontine micturition centers. Under pathologic conditions such as epilepsy, urinary dysfunction is a frequent symptom and it seems to be associated with increased suprapontine cortical activity. Interestingly, micturition can also trigger seizures known as reflex epilepsy. During voiding behavior, frontotemporal cortical activation has been reported and it may induce reflex seizures. As current researches are only limited to present clinical cases, more rigorous investigations are needed to elucidate biological mechanisms of micturition to advance our knowledge on the process of micturition in physiology and pathology.
