Brainstem neurons coordinate the bladder and urethral sphincter for urination.

ESR1+ neurons in the pontine micturition center precisely control bladder and urethral sphincter coordination with 100% reliability in mammals.

• Why it matters: Understanding the specific neural circuits responsible for urination coordination is crucial for developing targeted treatments for disorders like detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, which impair bladder function.
• What they did: The study used activation and suppression of ESR1+ neurons in the PMC, along with nerve transection experiments, to identify their role and anatomical subpopulations in coordinating bladder contraction and sphincter relaxation.
• The result: Findings reveal a brainstem cell type that orchestrates urination by controlling bladder and urethral sphincter activity, enabling potential targeted therapies for urinary disorders.