排尿活动分为意识性自主排尿和反射性排尿，其神经控制机制异常复杂。反射性排尿由脑桥排尿中枢(PMC)调控下的脊髓-球脊-脊髓通路来完成，而意识性自主排尿则必须依靠皮层等高级脑区的调控。我们已发表的工作证实，运动皮层(M1)神经元与PMC形成一条功能性通路，并在排尿控制中起关键作用。有意思的是，我们近期预实验观察到，M1也可以投射到腹外侧中脑导水管灰质(PAG)，且PAG可直接投射至PMC。既往电刺激实验发现，PAG激活可诱发膀胱逼尿肌的收缩。因此，我们大胆推测可能存在“M1-PAG-PMC”通路，且在调控小鼠意识性自主排尿中发挥重要作用。本项目预期成果将为深入理解排尿控制的神经环路机制提供新思路，也将为排尿功能障碍的治疗提供新的切入点。

Micturition is divided into voluntary micturition and reflex micturition. The neural circuitry that controls this process is extremely complex. The reflex micturition is mediated by a spinobulbospinal pathway that passes through the pontine micturition center (PMC) in the rostral brainstem, while voluntary micturition highly depends on the control of higher brain regions, such as the cortex. Our previous work has confirmed that a cortex (primary motor cortex, M1) -PMC pathway plays a critical role in controlling the voluntary micturition. Interestingly, in our recent preliminary experiments, we have observed that neurons in the M1 project to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (PAG). In addition, we have also identified projections from the PAG to the PMC. Therefore, there may be an entirely new functional pathway from M1 to PAG to PMC that controls voluntary micturition. This research proposal will provide new insights into the neuronal circuit mechanisms that underlie voluntary micturition and a new treatment strategy for neurogenic bladder dysfunction.