In an animal study, an overactive bladder increases locus coeruleus activity.
Most of us do not consider an overactive bladder as affecting brain functioning. However, the pontine micturition center (Barrington nucleus [BN]) and the locus coeruleus (LC) are part of the neural circuit that communicates pelvic visceral functions. The LC, a major noradrenergic nucleus that regulates arousal, attention, and behavior, is activated by bladder (and colonic) distention. Thus, hyperarousal, anxiety, and problems with attention could result from bladder problems. To examine LC and cortical EEG effects of an overactive bladder, researchers compared rats with surgically created partial bladder obstruction and rats that underwent sham surgery (controls).
Compared with controls, obstructed rats demonstrated spontaneous nonvoiding c…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)