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. 2024 Sep 27;14(10):975. doi: 10.3390/brainsci14100975
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
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    At least 18 years old

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    Able to understand the patient information sheet

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    Written informed consent to take part and follow the requirements of the protocol

For patients with MS:
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    Diagnosis according to the McDonald criteria

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    Having a score on the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤ 6.5

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    Free of relapses in the previous 3 months

For patients with idiopathic LUT symptoms:
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    Routine clinical assessments excluding a neurological cause for symptoms

For patients with predominant storage symptoms:
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    Urinary urgency (≥2 episodes per week), urinary frequency (>8/24 h), and/or incontinence

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    Post-void residual volume < 150 mL

For patients with predominant voiding symptoms:
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    Hesitancy, slow or intermittent stream, straining to void, or relying on catheterisation for bladder emptying

For patients with mixed storage and voiding LUT symptoms:
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    Urgency (≥2 episodes per week), urinary frequency (>8/24 h), and/or incontinence

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    Hesitancy, slow or intermittent stream, straining to void, or relying on catheterisation for bladder emptying

For patients with neurological disease without LUT symptoms:
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    No episodes of urinary urgency or incontinence; urinary frequency < 8/24 h

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    No voiding symptoms; post-void residual volume < 150 mL

For healthy subjects:
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    Good mental and physical health

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    Normal functioning of the LUT

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    No episodes of urinary urgency or incontinence; urinary frequency < 8/24 h

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    No malignancy or previous surgery of the LUT or genitalia

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    No previous spine or pelvic surgery

Exclusion Criteria
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    Pregnant, breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study duration

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    Any contraindications to having MRI (e.g., ferromagnetic implants), as assessed by the NMR unit’s MRI safety checklist

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    Craniocerebral injuries or surgeries

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    Known neurological disease other than that being used for the investigation

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    Cognitive impairment, as assessed by a Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) score < 23

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    Presence of additional active urological disease that might explain LUT symptoms

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    Surgery of the LUT or genitalia within the last year or that is related to the LUT symptoms, as per the discretion of the investigator

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    Any anatomical anomaly of LUT/genitalia

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    Active LUT malignancy or metabolic disease, as per the discretion of the investigator

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    For the functional brain imaging part, additional exclusion criteria apply:
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      Receiving concomitant treatment for LUTS
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      Received tibial nerve stimulation or intravesical Botulinum A toxin injections within the previous six months
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      If on an antimuscarinic medication, unwilling to discontinue for at least 5 days prior to having MRI assessment