Investigating afferent nerve activity from the lower urinary tract: highlighting some basic research techniques and clinical evaluation methods.
OBJECTIVE
To give a review of some basic research recording and clinical evaluations of bladder afferent nerves and the sensory information related to them.


METHODS
Literature survey.


RESULTS
Direct investigation of the afferent nerve pathways of the lower urinary tract (LUT) can be done in animal studies where potentials can be recorded and measured directly in the dorsal roots after laminectomy. Differentiation between A delta and C fibers is possible when conduction speed is determined. In humans afferent innervation can be studied clinically with determination of the sensation on sensation-related bladder diary, during cystometrical bladder filling, with local electrical stimulation. All need further study. Electrodiagnostic tests are further explored.


CONCLUSIONS
Both basic research and clinical evaluation of afferent nerves and sensory function in the LUT are possible. To find out how both relate to each other, and how this function can be evaluated, is the task to be done now.
Wyndaele
Jean Jacques
JJ
Department of Urology, University Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, UZA, Edegem, Belgium. jean-jacques.wyndaele@ua.ac.be
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D023421:Models, Animal; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D053202:Urinary Incontinence, Urge / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000294:innervation*; D014554:Urination