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Neuromodulation of bladder activity by stimulation of feline pudendal nerve using a transdermal amplitude modulated signal (TAMS)
Author(s) -
Shen Bing,
Roppolo James R.,
Subbaroyan Jeyakumar,
DiUbaldi Anthony,
Wahlgren Steve,
de Groat William C.,
Tai Changfeng
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
neurourology and urodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1520-6777
pISSN - 0733-2467
DOI - 10.1002/nau.21084
Subject(s) - medicine , neuromodulation , pudendal nerve , transdermal , stimulation , anesthesia , pharmacology
Aim: To develop a non‐invasive neuromodulation method to regulate bladder activity. Methods: Neuromodulation of bladder activity was investigated in felines with an intact spinal cord under α‐chloralose anesthesia using a transcutaneous stimulation method with surface electrodes attached to the skin area between the base of the tail and the sciatic notch. Results: The bladder could be either inhibited or excited depending on stimulation frequency and bladder volume. With the bladder distended to induce large amplitude rhythmic isovolumetric bladder contractions, stimulation at a frequency between 5 and 7 Hz significantly suppressed the contractions. Stimulation applied during a cystometrogram (CMG) also increased bladder capacity by 44.3 ± 10.8%. At a frequency between 20 and 40 Hz the inhibitory effect on rhythmic bladder contractions was weak and did not increase bladder capacity during CMG. At low bladder volumes ranging between 60% and 100% of the bladder capacity 20 Hz stimulation‐induced small amplitude (21.2 ± 14.6 cmH 2 O) bladder contractions. However, stimulation at 20 Hz induced large amplitude (111.7 ± 22.2 cmH 2 O) bladder contractions at a bladder volume about 100–110% of the bladder capacity after the rhythmic bladder contractions were completely inhibited by the inhibitory 5 Hz stimulation. Conclusions: Both inhibitory and excitatory effects on bladder activity can be obtained in cats using the non‐invasive neural stimulation approach. This pre‐clinical study warrants a further clinical trial to investigate the possibility of using this non‐invasive stimulation method to treat incontinence or urinary retention. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1686–1694, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.