Bladder and bowel responses to lumbosacral epidural stimulation in uninjured and transected anesthetized rats.

Bladder and bowel responses to lumbosacral epidural stimulation in uninjured and transected anesthetized rats. Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 08;11(1):3268 Authors: Hoey RF, Medina-Aguiñaga D, Khalifa F, Ugiliweneza B, Zdunowski S, Fell J, Naglah A, El-Baz AS, Herrity AN, Harkema SJ, Hubscher CH Abstract Spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) mapping at L5-S1 was performed to identify parameters for bladder and bowel inhibition and/or contraction. Using spinally intact and chronic transected rats of both sexes in acute urethane-anesthetized terminal preparations, scES was systematically applied using a modified Specify 5-6-5 (Medtronic) electrode during bladder filling/emptying cycles while recording bladder and colorectal pressures and external urethral and anal sphincter electromyography activity. The results indicate frequency-dependent effects on void volume, micturition, bowel peristalsis, and sphincter activity just above visualized movement threshold intensities that differed depending upon neurological intactness, with some sex-dependent differences. Thereafter, a custom-designed miniature 15-electrode array designed for greater selectivity was tested and exhibited the same frequency-dependent urinary effects over a much smaller surface area without any concurrent movements. Thus, select activation of autonomic nervous system circuitries with scES is a promising neuromodulation approach for expedient translation to individuals with SCI ...
Source: Anal Sci - Category: Chemistry Authors: Tags: Sci Rep Source Type: research