Functional brain imaging and central control of the bladder in health and disease

Urodynamic analysis of the effect of electroacupuncture at different acupoints on the bladder after spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) are the most frequently used acupoints for treating neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, there has been no investigation to clarify the differences in effects of these acupoints in different types of neurogenic bladder.

METHODS

The study was structured with a randomized, two-phase cross over design with a washout period. A routine urodynamic examination was performed first, then, in the order of grouping, electroacupuncture was performed on CV4, CV3, and SP6, respectively，and urodynamic examination was performed to observe the changes of urodynamic indexes in real time.

RESULTS

When undergoing electroacupuncture at CV4, CV3, and SP6 in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (DO), the bladder volume at the first occurrence of DO and maximum cystometric capacity increased (p < 0.05), but maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax) at DO decreased (p < 0.05), and the changes using CV4 and CV3 was more significantly than using SP6 (p < 0.05). And in patients with in neurogenic detrusor underactivity, there were no significant changes in maximum urinary flow rate and Pdetmax during urination (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The immediate relief effect of electroacupuncture at CV4, CV3 on DO was greater than at SP6.

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Detrusor Overactivity in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Narrative Review

Bladder dysfunction, particularly neurogenic detrusor overactivity (DO), poses a substantial challenge in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, detrimentally impacting their quality of life (QoL). Conventional therapies often fall short, necessitating alternative approaches like posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for effective management. This narrative review critically examines the application of PTNS in treating DO among MS patients, aiming to provide a comprehensive synthesis of its efficacy, underlying mechanisms, and clinical outcomes. By evaluating a spectrum of studies, including randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up research, the review elucidates PTNS's role in enhancing bladder control and ameliorating symptoms of urgency and incontinence, thereby improving patient well-being. Despite its potential, the review acknowledges the limited scope of existing research specific to MS-induced neurogenic DO and calls for further investigation to optimize PTNS protocols and understand its long-term benefits. Highlighting PTNS's minimal invasiveness and favorable safety profile, the review advocates for its consideration as a viable third-line treatment option in MS-related bladder dysfunction management. Through this analysis, the review contributes to the broader narrative of seeking effective, patient-centered therapeutic strategies for MS-related complications, underscoring the importance of personalized care in improving patient outcomes.

Microstructural white matter abnormalities in overactive bladder syndrome evaluation with diffusion kurtosis imaging tract-based spatial statistics analysis

PURPOSE

This prospective study aimed to explore the microstructural alterations of the white matter in overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) using the Tract-based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) method of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).

METHODS

A total of 30 patients were enrolled and compared with 30 controls. White matter (WM) status was assessed using tract-based spatial statistics for DKI. The differences in DKI-derived parameters, including kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean kurtosis (MK), mean diffusivity (MD), radial kurtosis (RK), axial kurtosis (AK), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD), were compared between the two groups using the TBSS method. The correlation between the altered DKI-derived parameters and the (OABSS) scores was analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different white matter parameters.

RESULTS

As a result, compared with the HC group, the KFA, and FA values decreased significantly in the OAB group. Compared with the HC group, the MK and MD values increased significantly in the OAB group. The KFA values of the genu of corpus callosum (GCC) were significantly correlated with the OABSS scores (r = - 0.509; p = 0.004). The FA values of anterior corona radiata (ACR) were significantly correlated with OABSS scores (r = - 0.447; p = 0.013). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the genu of corpus callosum KFA values was higher than FA for the diagnosis of OAB patients.

CONCLUSION

DKI is a promising approach to the investigation of the pathophysiology of OAB and a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis of OAB.

Effects of central-peripheral FMS on urinary retention after spinal cord injury: a pilot randomized controlled trial protocol

Background

Urinary retention is a common complication of spinal cord injury (SCI), which can seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Function magnetic stimulation (FMS) has been widely used in the recovery of neurological function in various diseases, but its application in urinary retention after SCI remains unclear. Therefore, we would like to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to observe the feasible effect of FMS on urinary retention after SCI, to explore its mechanism of action.

Method/design

This is a single-center pilot RCT, which 60 patients with urinary retention after SCI will be selected, numbered in chronological order of hospitalization, and randomly divided into 4 groups using the random number table method, Groups A (control group), Group B, Group C, and Group D; Each group will receive the same conventional rehabilitation treatment. The whole intervention period 2 weeks and will be evaluated before and after treatment to collect data on residual bladder volume, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), changes in voiding condition, changes in surface electromyography (SEMG) values of pelvic floor muscle and quality of life scores (QoL).

Study hypothesis

We hypothesized that FMS for the treatment of urinary retention after SCI would have a significant clinical feasible effect;and that peripheral combined with central FMS would be more effective than single-site FMS for the treatment of urinary retention after SCI.

Objective

(1) To illustrate the clinical effectiveness of FMS in the treatment of urinary retention after SCI and to provide a new treatment modality for the patients; (2) Comparison of the differences in the efficacy of central and peripheral single FMS and combined central and peripheral FMS in the treatment of urinary retention after SCI; (3) To explore the central control mechanisms of bladder function recovery after SCI in conjunction with changes in fNIRS.

Trial registration

This study has been ethically approved by the Scientific and Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical university with approval number (LLSC-2022112401). It has been registered with the China Clinical Trials Registry with the registration number: ChiCTR2200067143.

Differences between brain responses to peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, two treatments for overactive bladder

OBJECTIVES

To compare brain responses to peroneal electrical transcutaneous neuromodulation (peroneal eTNM®) and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), two methods for treating overactive bladder (OAB), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The present study was not designed to compare their clinical efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 32 healthy adult female volunteers (average age 38.3 years (range 22-73)). Brain MRI using 3 T scanner was performed during three 8-min blocks of alternating sequences. During each 8-min block, the protocol alternated between sham stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats; then peroneal eTNM® stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats; then, TTNS stimulation (30 s) and rest (30 s) for 8 repeats. Statistical analysis was performed at the individual level with a threshold of p = 0.05, family-wise error (FWE)-corrected. The resulting individual statistical maps were analyzed in group statistics using a one-sample t-test, p = 0.05 threshold, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected.

RESULTS

During peroneal eTNM®, TTNS, and sham stimulations, we recorded activation in the brainstem, bilateral posterior insula, bilateral precentral gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left transverse temporal gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus. During both peroneal eTNM® and TTNS stimulations, but not sham stimulations, we recorded activation in the left cerebellum, right transverse temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and right inferior frontal gyrus. Exclusively during peroneal eTNM® stimulation, we observed activation in the right cerebellum, right thalamus, bilateral basal ganglia, bilateral cingulate gyrus, right anterior insula, right central operculum, bilateral supplementary motor cortex, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS

Peroneal eTNM®, but not TTNS, induces the activation of brain structures that were previously implicated in neural control of the of bladder filling and play an important role in the ability to cope with urgency. The therapeutic effect of peroneal eTNM® could be exerted, at least in part, at the supraspinal level of neural control.