High spatial correlation in brain connectivity between micturition and resting states within bladder-related networks using 7\xa0T MRI in multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction

Zhaoyue Shi,Timothy Boone,Khue Tran,Christof Karmonik,Rose Khavari

doi:10.1007/s00345-021-03599-4

Zhaoyue Shi, Timothy Boone + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-021-03599-4

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Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported brain activations and functional connectivity (FC) during micturition using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and concurrent urodynamics (UDS) testing. However, due to the invasive nature of UDS procedure, non-invasive resting-state fMRI is being explored as a potential alternative. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing resting states as a non-invasive alternative for investigating the bladder-related networks in the brain.MethodsWe quantitatively compared FC in brain regions belonging to the bladder-related network during the following states: ‘strong desire to void’, ‘voiding initiation (or attempt at voiding initiation)’, and ‘voiding (or continued attempt of voiding)’ with FC during rest in nine multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction using fMRI data acquired at 7 T and 3 T.ResultsThe inter-subject correlation analysis showed that voiding (or continued attempt of voiding) is achieved through similar network connections in all subjects. The task-based bladder-related network closely resembles the resting-state intrinsic network only during voiding (or continued attempt of voiding) process but not at other states.ConclusionResting states fMRI can be potentially utilized to accurately reflect the voiding (or continued attempt of voiding) network. Concurrent UDS testing is still necessary for studying the effects of strong desire to void and initiation of voiding (or attempt at initiation of voiding).

Highlights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, which can impair and disrupt the neural conduction from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
The goal of this study is to evaluate whether resting-state functional connectivity patterns could reflect full bladder versus voiding during simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)/UDS bladderrelated networks in female MS patients with voiding dysfunction (VD)
We found that the resting-state intrinsic connectivity closely resembles the urodynamic functional connectivity of the bladder-related network only during voiding, and thereby concurrent urodynamic testing is still necessary for studying the effects at strong desire to void and voiding initiation

Summary

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, which can impair and disrupt the neural conduction from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing resting states as a non-invasive alternative for investigating the bladder-related networks in the brain. Methods We quantitatively compared FC in brain regions belonging to the bladder-related network during the following states: ‘strong desire to void’, ‘voiding initiation (or attempt at voiding initiation)’, and ‘voiding (or continued attempt of voiding)’ with FC during rest in nine multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction using fMRI data acquired at 7 T and 3 T. Conclusion Resting states fMRI can be potentially utilized to accurately reflect the voiding (or continued attempt of voiding) network. Concurrent UDS testing is still necessary for studying the effects of strong desire to void and initiation of voiding (or attempt at initiation of voiding)

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