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Supplementary pictures

These pictures are an addition to those published in J Urol.

Figure 1 supplementary. Activation of pontine micturition centre or M-region (M) at smaller bladder volumes. Coordinates -6, -36, -32; random-effects analysis in all subjects, P < 0.01 uncorrected.

This rather surprising result shows that the pontine micturition center can respond to bladder filling (i.e., is not just active during voiding/emptying, as might be expected).

Figure 2 supplementary. Top: regions where response increased at large bladder volumes, in subjects with good control. Bottom: regions where response was weaker in subjects with poor control, at large bladder volumes. Same data as Fig. 4 of published article, sectioned at z = -6. Arrowheads: orbitofrontal cortex., showing significant clusters. PH: preoptic hypothalamus.

This rather exciting result suggests that voluntary bladder control may be exercised from the orbitofrontal cortex, and this region is less active (i.e. responds more weakly to bladder filling) in those with poor bladder control. The involvement of the preoptic hypothalamus is significant because this region is known to have direct connections to the pontine micturition center.

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