# Functional MRI Analysis of Brain Activity in Rats With Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction

## TL;DR

This study used fMRI to find brain activity changes in diabetic rats with bladder dysfunction, revealing altered activity in regions like the thalamus and cortex.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific brain regions affected by diabetic bladder dysfunction using high-resolution fMRI in rats.

## Key findings

- DM rats showed reduced ALFF in the basal forebrain and cerebral cortex.
- DM rats exhibited increased brain activation in the thalamus and PAG during micturition.
- NLX-112 did not significantly alter brain activity in diabetic rats.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in rats with 12‐week diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD). Furthermore, as prior research has suggested that NLX‐112, a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist, may alleviate DBD, we sought to explore its effects on brain activity in DBD rats.

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane and underwent cystometry alongside 9.4‐Tesla fMRI evaluations. Resting‐state fMRI was performed on empty bladders to compare baseline brain activity between groups. Gradient echo‐planar imaging was utilized to assess brain activation during micturition relative to relaxation, and a group analysis was conducted.

fMRI data from 12 diabetes mellitus (DM) rats and 12 normal control (NC) rats were analyzed. DM rats exhibited a significant reduction in the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the basal forebrain and cerebral cortex, a measurement of activity in brain networks. During micturition, DM rats showed increased activation in the thalamus, primary motor cortex, periaqueductal gray (PAG) and other regions. NLX‐112 administration did not significantly alter brain activity in DM rats.

DBD rats exhibit heightened thalamic and PAG activity during micturition, potentially due to enlarged bladder capacity, with cortical activity serving as a compensatory mechanism. These findings highlight potential neural targets for DBD treatment.

Using cystometry combined with 9.4‐Tesla fMRI evaluations, this study uncovered significant alterations in brain activity in diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) rats. Specifically, a reduction in ALFF was observed in the basal forebrain and cortex, while heightened activation was detected in the thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and primary motor cortex during micturition.