Brain research. Brain research protocols
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Brain Res. Brain Res. Protoc. · Feb 2002
Neurogenic bladder model for spinal cord injury: spinal cord microdialysis and chronic urodynamics.
We describe an animal model to study neurotransmitter changes in parallel with urodynamic testing following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Urodynamic access was achieved using a subcutaneously placed 7 French dual lumen portacatheter. Spinal cord injury was induced by weight drop technique onto exposed dura at T8. ⋯ Amino acid levels peaked at approximately 40 min following contusion injury with glycine demonstrating the highest levels of all amino acids measured. This neurogenic rat model provides a useful means of examining the effects of spinal cord injury on bladder function. By utilizing spinal cord microdialysis, one could intervene at the level of the detrusor nuclei to modulate bladder function.