An innovative electrical neurostimulation approach to mimic reflexive urination control in spinal cord injury models

Scientific Reports, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76499-3 · Published: October 29, 2024

Simple Explanation

This study introduces a new method using electrical stimulation to help mice with spinal cord injuries urinate more naturally. It involves stimulating two specific nerve areas to coordinate bladder muscle contraction and sphincter relaxation, mimicking the normal urination process. The researchers used a special type of electrical stimulation, called innovative programmable (IPG) stimulation, on the pudendal nerve to relax the external urethral sphincter. They also stimulated the major pelvic ganglion to control bladder contractions. The results showed that this dual-stimulation approach effectively improved voiding efficiency in SCI mice, suggesting a potential new treatment for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) associated with spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

4 weeks post-SCI

Participants

105 Wild-type C57BL/6J mice, 66 included in final analysis

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Innovative programmable (IPG) electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve (PN) effectively induces external urethral sphincter (EUS) relaxation.
2
Coordinated electrical stimulation of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) and PN can replicate natural urination by artificially coordinating bladder contraction and EUS relaxation in intact mice.
3
In SCI mice, coordinated electrical stimulation of the MPG and PN improves voiding efficiency, overcoming NLUTD.

Research Summary

This study introduces a novel electrical neuromodulation strategy involving stimulation of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) in conjunction with PN stimulation for the treatment of NLUTD in SCI mice. The findings demonstrate that this new electrical neuromodulation strategy effectively induced coordinated bladder muscle contraction and EUS relaxation, thereby overcoming SCI-induced NLUTD and successfully mimicking the natural reflexive urination process. The study presents a potent electrical neurostimulation strategy aimed at treating NLUTD, reconstructing bladder function, and restoring urinary control in patients with SCI.

Practical Implications

Potential New Therapy for NLUTD

The electrical neurostimulation approach may offer an alternative therapy for addressing NLUTD, improving voiding efficiency in patients with SCI.

Personalized Treatment Approaches

The study serves as a reference for personalized treatment approaches and the application of unidirectional brain-machine interfaces in urinary function recovery.

Foundation for Human-Machine Interaction

The study lays the groundwork for future human–machine interactions that aime to achieve coordinated control of the bladder muscle and EUS.

Study Limitations

1
Findings have been validated in mice under specific conditions; further investigation is needed across different animal models, injury sites, and patterns.
2
Wireless electrical stimulation could enhance mobility in future interventions but was not used in this study.
3
The parameters for achieving artificial control were complex, involving implementing 144 critical parameters in a specified sequence.

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