Cerebellar functional connectivity relates to lower urinary tract function: A 7 Tesla study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to explore the functional connectivity (FC) of the cerebellum during the storage phase of micturition, through detecting spontaneous blood-oxygen-level dependent signal between the cerebellum and different brain regions using a high-resolution 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

Materials And Methods: We recruited healthy individuals with no reported history of neurological disease or lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms. Participants were asked to drink 500 mL of water and then empty their bladders before entering the MRI scanner.

Conception and implementation of an MRI-compatible device to elicit the bulbocavernosus reflex for an open spinal cord study.

Objective: Functional MRI (fMRI) can be employed to assess neuronal activity in the central nervous system. However, investigating the spinal cord using fMRI poses several technical difficulties. Enhancing the fMRI signal intensity in the spinal cord can improve the visualization and analysis of different neural pathways, particularly those involved in bladder function.

Evaluating noninvasive brain stimulation to treat overactive bladder in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an often debilitating disease affecting the myelin sheath that encompasses neurons. It can be accompanied by a myriad of pathologies and adverse effects such as neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Current treatment modalities for resolving NLUTD focus mainly on alleviating symptoms while the source of the discomfort emanates from a disruption in brain to bladder neural circuitry.

Noninvasive brain stimulation in the treatment of functional urological and pelvic floor disorders: A scoping review.

Introduction: Functional pelvic floor disorders (PFD) such as bowel and bladder dysfunctions can be challenging to manage with our current therapeutic modalities. Recently, noninvasive brain stimulation has emerged as a novel strategy for noninvasive pelvic floor management. Here, we assessed the current state of research on this topic.

Classification of multiple sclerosis women with voiding dysfunction using machine learning: Is functional connectivity or structural connectivity a better predictor?

Introduction: Machine learning (ML) is an established technique that uses sets of training data to develop algorithms and perform data classification without using human intervention/supervision. This study aims to determine how functional and anatomical brain connectivity (FC and SC) data can be used to classify voiding dysfunction (VD) in female MS patients using ML.

Methods: Twenty-seven ambulatory MS individuals with lower urinary tract dysfunction were recruited and divided into two groups (Group 1: voiders [V,  = 14]; Group 2: VD [ = 13]).

Predictors for outcomes of noninvasive, individualized transcranial magnetic neuromodulation in multiple sclerosis women with neurogenic voiding dysfunction.

Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifocal demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and commonly leads to neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Proper storage and release of urine relies on synchronized activity of the LUT, which is meticulously regulated by supraspinal circuits, making it vulnerable to diseases such as MS. NLUTD, characterized by voiding dysfunction (VD), storage issues, or a combination of both is a common occurrence in MS.

Rigor and reproducibility in analysis of rodent behavior utilizing the forelimb reaching task following a cervical spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) research with animals aims to understand the neurophysiological responses resultant of injury and to identify effective interventions that can translate into clinical treatments in the future. Consistent and reliable assessments to properly measure outcomes are essential to achieve this aim and avoid issues with reproducibility. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline for implementing the forelimb reaching task (FRT) assessment and analysis that increased reproducibility of our studies.

Selective Antagonism of A1 Adenosinergic Receptors Strengthens the Neuromodulation of the Sensorimotor Network During Epidural Spinal Stimulation.

Although epidural spinal stimulation (ESS) results in promising therapeutic effects in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), its potential to generate functional motor recovery varies between individuals and remains largely unclear. However, both preclinical and clinical studies indicate the capacity of electrical and pharmacological interventions to synergistically increase the engagement of spinal sensorimotor networks and regain motor function after SCI. This study explored whether selective pharmacological antagonism of the adenosine A1 receptor subtype synergizes with ESS, thereby increasing motor response.

Modulatory effects of intravesical P2X2/3 purinergic receptor inhibition on lower urinary tract electromyographic properties and voiding function of female rats with moderate or severe spinal cord injury.

Objectives: To evaluate the role that intravesical P2X2/3 purinergic receptors (P2X2/3Rs) play in early and advanced neurogenic lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction after contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) in female rats.

Materials And Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats received a thoracic Th8/Th9 spinal cord contusion with either force of 100 kDy (cN); moderate) or 150 kDy (cN; severe); Sham rats had no injury. Evaluations on urethane-anesthetised rats were conducted at either 2 or 4 weeks after SCI.

Electrical Activity of the Bladder Is Attenuated by Intravesical Inhibition of P2X2/3 Receptors During Micturition in Female Rats.

Purpose: To simultaneously monitor electrical discharges in various bladder regions and the external urethral sphincter (EUS) during voiding contractions, and to assess the functional role of myogenic modulation of the lower urinary tract (LUT) by ionotropic purinergic receptors containing the P2X3 subunit.

Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and implanted with a suprapubic catheter for open cystometry. Flexible microelectrodes were placed ventrally in the bladder dome, upper bladder, lower bladder, and bladder base, along with the middle section of the exposed EUS.

16-Channel Flexible System to Measure Electrophysiological Properties of Bioengineered Hearts.

As tissue engineering continues to mature, it is necessary to develop new technologies that bring insight into current paradigms and guide improvements for future experiments. To this end, we have developed a system to characterize our bioartificial heart model and compare them to functional native structures. In the present study, the hearts of adult Sprague-Dawley were decellularized resulting in a natural three-dimensional cardiac scaffold.

Development of a Cyclic Strain Bioreactor for Mechanical Enhancement and Assessment of Bioengineered Myocardial Constructs.

The purpose of this study was to develop enabling bioreactor technologies using a novel voice coil actuator system for investigating the effects of periodic strain on cardiac patches fabricated with rat cardiomyocytes. The bioengineered muscle constructs used in this study were formed by culturing rat neonatal primary cardiac cells on a fibrin gel. The physical design of the bioreactor was initially conceived using Solidworks to test clearances and perform structural strain analysis.

32-Channel System to Measure the Electrophysiological Properties of Bioengineered Cardiac Muscle.

The purpose of this study was to develop, assess, and validate a custom 32-channel system to analyze the electrical properties of 3-D artificial heart muscle (3D-AHM). In this study, neonatal rat cardiac cells were cultured in a fibrin gel to drive the formation of 3D-AHM. Once the tissues were fully formed, the customized electrocardiogram (EKG) sensing system was used to obtain the different electrophysiological characteristics of the muscle constructs.