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Neuroanatomy of Bladder Pain

  • Neurogenic Bladder (C Powell, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

In this review, we summarize the most recent literature on neurobiology of bladder pain in a systematic fashion starting with end organ, peripheral nervous system, the spinal cord, and ending with the brain. Special attention is dedicated to pain processing in patients with spinal cord injury.

Recent Findings

Chronic bladder pain is not an isolated entity and is in fact a result of a complex interaction between the end organ, surrounding structures, and peripheral and central nervous system. The afferent fibers collecting the information from the bladder urothelium and mucosa are a very diverse population and respond not only to stretch but also to noxious and chemical signaling. Neuroinflammation appears to be central to the process of sensitization. Imaging and molecular evidence is emerging noting actual alterations in signaling pathways and neuroanatomy in patients with chronic pelvic pain beyond the end organ.

Summary

Tremendous progress has been made to better understand the complex pathophysiology of bladder pain on a molecular and neuroanatomic level. Ideally, this information can be utilized to better identify specific and individualized intervention targets for patients with chronic bladder pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 915 Olentangy River Rd, Suite 3100, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA

    Tyler Sheetz & Irene Crescenze

  2. Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    J. Quentin Clemens

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  1. Tyler Sheetz
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Correspondence to Irene Crescenze.

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Sheetz, T., Clemens, J.Q. & Crescenze, I. Neuroanatomy of Bladder Pain. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 16, 41–45 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-021-00629-0

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