Initiation of Bladder Voiding with Epidural Stimulation in Paralyzed, Step Trained Rats

This study investigates whether epidural stimulation, which has been used to recover movement in paralyzed individuals, can also help restore bladder function after spinal cord injury. The researchers found that specific spinal cord stimulation parameters could initiate bladder emptying in paralyzed rats within seconds. This finding suggests that epidural stimulation could significantly improve the quality of life for patients with spinal cord injuries by helping them regain control over bladder function.

• 1
  Enabling locomotor-related spinal neuronal circuits by epidural stimulation also influences neural networks controlling bladder function.
• 2
  Specific spinal cord stimulation parameters, particularly 1 Hz stimulation between L2 and S1, can initiate bladder emptying within seconds of stimulation in paralyzed rats.
• 3
  Step training under the influence of eEmc resulted in increased spontaneous bladder voiding, suggesting a positive effect on bladder function recovery.