Figure 5. Visceral sensitivity predicts increased visual unpleasantness at equivalent excitation of primary visual cortex.

Conceptual line plots demonstrating the moderating effect of bladder pain on the relationship between unpleasantness ratings and cortical excitation measured via 25Hz power spectral density (PSD) estimates (i.e., SSVEP amplitudes) at electrode Oz. This moderating effect implies that when visual cortex is minimally excited by visual stimulation, bladder pain has minimal effect on perceived unpleasantness. However, individuals with greater bladder pain report more unpleasantness when cortical excitation is high. Primary visual cortical excitation is not greater in individuals with heightened bladder pain; rather, downstream interpretation of this signal is likely amplified in women with greater bladder pain.