From Bladder to Brain: How You Know When It’s Time To Go

Authors

• Anne M J Verstegen
• Kara L Marshall

Language

English

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Journal

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

DOI

10.1016/j.conb.2025.103114

PMID

41075343

Abstract

The decision to urinate relies on assessing bladder fullness and context to determine an appropriate time and place to go. Any disruption in this interoceptive process results in frequent and sometimes debilitating consequences in daily life. Recent work has uncovered key pathways and brain regions that contribute to the sense of bladder stretch and the control of urinary reflexes, but many open questions remain. Here, we review the known mechanisms that convey sensory information from the bladder to the brain and back down again, and we highlight the knowledge gaps and opportunities for better understanding this system, which will be critical to develop effective therapies for urinary dysfunction.

Keywords

Humans, Brain, Urinary Bladder, Animals, Urination

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Anne M J Verstegen and Kara L Marshall, "From Bladder to Brain: How You Know When It’s Time To Go" (2025). Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications. 211.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/duncar_nri_pub/211