Intraspinal stimulation for bladder voiding in cats before and after chronic spinal cord injury

J Neural Eng, 2007 · DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/4/4/002 · Published: December 1, 2007

Simple Explanation

The study aims to develop neural prostheses for bladder control in people with spinal cord injuries. Microelectrodes were implanted into the sacral spinal cord of cats to stimulate micturition reflexes. Electrical stimulation at the S1 level produced strong bladder contractions and sphincter relaxation, leading to voiding.

Study Duration

Up to 14 months

Participants

22 adult cats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Stimulation at the S1 level produced strong bladder contractions and EUS relaxation, resulting in voiding in 14 animals.
2
Intraspinal stimulation remained effective in inducing bladder voiding after spinal cord transection in a subset of animals.
3
The study suggests plasticity in local spinal circuitry may play a role in improved responsiveness to intraspinal stimulation after transection.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of intraspinal microstimulation on bladder voiding in cats before and after spinal cord injury. Microelectrode arrays were implanted in the sacral spinal cord to stimulate regions involved in micturition reflexes. The findings suggest the feasibility of using intraspinal stimulation to regain bladder control in spinal cord injury patients.

Practical Implications

Neuroprosthetic Micturition

Provides a basis for developing intraspinal prostheses for inducing micturition in people with spinal cord injuries.

Targeted Stimulation

Highlights the importance of selectively stimulating spinal cord neuronal populations involved in micturition reflexes.

Spinal Circuit Plasticity

Suggests that plasticity in local spinal circuitry may improve responsiveness to intraspinal stimulation after spinal cord transection.

Study Limitations

1
Low success rate attributed to the small size and low electrical excitability of neuronal pools.
2
Insufficient spatial density of electrodes to reliably achieve accurate targeting of neuronal populations.
3
Lack of full-scale bladder-sphincter dyssynergia in chronically spinalized cats, a common condition in humans with complete spinal cord injury.

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