High-density spinal cord stimulation selectively activates lower urinary tract nerves

This study explores the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to target nerves controlling the lower urinary tract (LUT). SCS is a potential method to improve autonomic functions. The researchers used a high-density electrode array to test if individual electrodes could selectively activate LUT nerves. This selective recruitment demonstrates a mechanism to directly modulate bladder and urethral function. The findings suggest that SCS could be used to restore bladder and urethral function after injury or disease by activating sensory afferents in the pudendal and pelvic nerves.

• 1
  Sacral SCS evokes responses in nerves innervating the bladder and urethra, and these nerves can be activated selectively.
• 2
  Sacral SCS always recruited the pelvic and pudendal nerves and selectively recruited both of these nerves in all but one animal.
• 3
  Electrodes that selectively recruited specific peripheral nerves were spatially clustered on the arrays, suggesting anatomically organized sensory pathways.