Electrical stimulation of dog pudendal nerve regulates the excitatory pudendal-to-bladder reflex

Neural Regeneration Research, 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.180757 · Published: April 1, 2016

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how stimulating the pudendal nerve, a key nerve for bladder control, affects bladder function in dogs, both with and without spinal cord injuries. The researchers found that stimulating the pudendal nerve at specific frequencies can cause the bladder to contract, an effect that varies depending on bladder volume. The ultimate goal is to develop a neuroprosthetic device that uses pudendal nerve stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries regain bladder control.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

4 male beagle dogs

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve trunk can induce detrusor contraction, demonstrating an excitatory pudendal-to-bladder reflex in dogs.
2
The optimal stimulation frequency for eliciting detrusor contraction was found to be approximately 15–25 Hz.
3
The excitatory effect of pudendal nerve stimulation on bladder contraction is dependent on bladder volume; larger volumes lead to more significant contractions.

Research Summary

This study explores the excitatory pudendal-to-bladder reflex in beagle dogs with intact or injured spinal cords, using electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve trunk to modulate bladder function. The research confirms that stimulation of the pudendal nerve trunk is a promising method to modulate bladder function, particularly at an optimal stimulation frequency of 15–25 Hz. The findings suggest that this excitatory effect is dependent to some extent on the bladder volume, indicating potential for clinical applications in SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Neuroprosthetic Development

The findings provide an experimental basis for developing a neuroprosthetic device based on pudendal nerve stimulation to restore bladder control in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Clinical Applications

The research suggests a potential new voiding mode for SCI patients, contributing to improved bladder management and quality of life.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to improve voiding efficiency and refine stimulation parameters for clinical application, possibly through intermittent stimulation or combined high-frequency blocking techniques.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not ligate the bilateral ureters, which might have influenced the accuracy of bladder volume determination.
2
The use of a urethral catheter might have affected voiding efficiency due to mechanical obstruction or sphincter reflex action.
3
The voiding efficiency in SCI dogs was lower compared to other reports, potentially due to detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia and different voiding patterns among species.

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