Mid‑lumbar (L3) epidural stimulation effects on bladder and external urethral sphincter in non‑injured and chronically transected urethane‑anesthetized rats

This study explores how stimulating the spinal cord at the L3 level affects bladder and sphincter control in rats, both with and without spinal cord injuries. The researchers found that L3 stimulation can change how the bladder and sphincter work together, potentially improving bladder emptying. These findings suggest that L3 spinal cord stimulation could be a useful way to help people with spinal cord injuries who have bladder control problems.

• 1
  L3 scES at select frequencies and intensities of stimulation produced a reduction in void volumes and EUS burst duration in intact rats.
• 2
  After chronic transection, three different subgroups of LUT dysfunction were identified and the response to L3 scES promoted different cystometry outcomes, including changes in EUS bursting.
• 3
  The current findings suggest that scES at the L3 level can generate functional neuromodulation of both the urinary bladder and the EUS in intact and SCI rats to enhance voiding in a variety of clinical scenarios.