Brain cell type as a master controller of urination identified!
Urination is tightly controlled by a complex neural network, but, specific subpopulation of neurons that accounts for such coordination remains unidentified.
The researchers show that cells expressing estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1+) in the pontine micturition center (PMC) initiate emptying the bladder when activated and suspend ongoing emptying when suppressed.
The authors also demonstrate that PMCESR1+ cells possess two subpopulations projecting to either the pelvic or pudendal nerve and a third, dual-projecting subpopulation, locking in the coordination of bladder contraction and sphincter relaxation in a rigid temporal order.
