Structural Changes in Brain White Matter Tracts Associated with Overactive Bladder Revealed by Diffusion Tensor MRI: Findings from a LURN Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

No AccessJournal of UrologyAdult Urology8 May 2024Structural Changes in Brain White Matter Tracts Associated with Overactive Bladder Revealed by Diffusion Tensor MRI: Findings from a LURN Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study H. Henry Lai, Jerrel Rutlin, Abigail R. Smith, Margaret E. Helmuth, James A. Hokanson, Claire C. Yang, J. Quentin Clemens, Vincent A. Magnotta, C. Emi Bretschneider, Kimberly Kenton, John O. L. DeLancey, Karen John, Ziya Kirkali, and Joshua S. Shimony H. Henry LaiH. Henry Lai Corresponding Author: H. Henry Lai, MD, Division of Urologic Surgery, 4960 Children's Place, Campus Box 8242-0022-02, St Louis, MO 63110 ( ([email protected]) ). , Jerrel RutlinJerrel Rutlin , Abigail R. SmithAbigail R. Smith , Margaret E. HelmuthMargaret E. Helmuth , James A. HokansonJames A. Hokanson , Claire C. YangClaire C. Yang , J. Quentin ClemensJ. Quentin Clemens , Vincent A. MagnottaVincent A. Magnotta , C. Emi BretschneiderC. Emi Bretschneider , Kimberly KentonKimberly Kenton , John O. L. DeLanceyJohn O. L. DeLancey , Karen JohnKaren John , Ziya KirkaliZiya Kirkali , and Joshua S. ShimonyJoshua S. Shimony for the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) Study Group View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000004022AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: To investigate structural changes in brain white matter tracts using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). Materials and Methods: Treatment-seeking OAB patients and matched controls enrolled in the cross-sectional case-control Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Neuroimaging Study received a brain DTI scan. Microstructural integrity of brain white matter was assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). OAB and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) symptoms were assessed using the OAB Questionnaire Short-Form (OAB-q) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI. The Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) Tool UUI questions and responses were correlated with FA values. Results: Among 221 participants with evaluable DTI data, 146 had OAB (66 urinary urgency [UU]-only without UUI, 80 with UUI); 75 were controls. Compared with controls, participants with OAB showed decreased FA and increased MD, representing greater microstructural abnormalities of brain white matter tracts among OAB participants. These abnormalities occurred in the corpus callosum, bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus tracts, and bilateral insula and para-hippocampal region. Among participants with OAB, higher OAB-q scores were associated with decreased FA in the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, P < .0001. DTI differences between OAB and controls were driven by the UU-only (OAB-dry) but not the UUI (OAB-wet) subgroup. Conclusions: Abnormalities in microstructural integrity in specific brain white matter tracts were more frequent in OAB patients. More severe OAB symptoms were correlated with greater degree of microstructural abnormalities in brain white matter tracts in patients with OAB. © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Supplementary Materials Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Keywordsurgency urinary incontinenceoveractive bladderbrain MRIdiffusion tensor imagingMetrics Author Information H. Henry Lai Corresponding Author: H. Henry Lai, MD, Division of Urologic Surgery, 4960 Children's Place, Campus Box 8242-0022-02, St Louis, MO 63110 ( ([email protected]) ). More articles by this author Jerrel Rutlin More articles by this author Abigail R. Smith More articles by this author Margaret E. Helmuth More articles by this author James A. Hokanson More articles by this author Claire C. Yang More articles by this author J. Quentin Clemens More articles by this author Vincent A. Magnotta More articles by this author C. Emi Bretschneider More articles by this author Kimberly Kenton More articles by this author John O. L. DeLancey More articles by this author Karen John More articles by this author Ziya Kirkali More articles by this author Joshua S. Shimony More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...