Neurotrophins as regulators of urinary bladder function

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Ochodnicky, P (Author) Other; Cruz C.D. (Author) FMUP; Yoshimura, N (Author) Other; Francisco Cruz (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Nature Reviews Urology

Vol. 9

Pages: 628-637

ISSN: 1759-4812

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 79 Citations

Scopus - 81 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-408

DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2012.178

Abstract (EN): Increased voiding frequency and urgency are among the most prevalent storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), often diagnosed as part of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). It has been suggested that these symptoms are caused by excessive sensory activation of the neural micturition circuit. It seems likely that sensory pathway remodelling is also responsible for pain perception upon bladder filling in patients with bladder pain syndrome (BPS). Neurotrophins-including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived nerve factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4)-represent master modulators of neural plasticity, both in peripheral and central nervous systems. Accumulating evidence points towards a role for neurotrophins in the control of neural sensory function during micturition and indicates their involvement in the emergence of OAB-related and BPS-related LUTS. Neurotrophins could potentially be used as urinary biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy for OAB and BPS and monitor therapy effectiveness. Proof-of-principle clinical evidence has confirmed that NGF is a potential target for treating human bladder overactivity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10