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Updated: May 18, 2026

A Decentralized (Ex Vivo) Murine Bladder Model with the Detrusor Muscle Removed for Direct Access to the Suburothelium during Bladder Filling
Published on: November 28, 2019
Autonomic nervous control of the urinary bladder
P Ochodnicky1, B Uvelius, K-E Andersson
1Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapy, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The autonomic nervous system regulates bladder function through adrenergic and cholinergic pathways. Pathophysiology can alter these systems, leading to complex interactions affecting urine storage and emptying.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The autonomic nervous system regulates urinary bladder function via adrenergic and cholinergic signaling.
- Noradrenaline promotes urine storage, while acetylcholine promotes emptying under physiological conditions.
- Pathophysiological changes can alter innervation, receptor expression, and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the implications of plasticity in autonomic nervous system regulation of the urinary bladder.
- To explore non-neuronal acetylcholine release and its interaction with adrenergic systems.
- To highlight the significance of altered adrenergic and cholinergic interactions in bladder pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on autonomic nervous system control of the bladder.
- Analysis of receptor expression and function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
- Discussion of potential interactions between adrenergic and cholinergic systems.
Main Results:
- Autonomic nervous system regulation of the bladder involves complex adrenergic and cholinergic interactions.
- Plasticity in innervation and receptor function occurs under pathophysiological conditions.
- Non-neuronal acetylcholine release from the urothelium can influence bladder function.
Conclusions:
- Altered autonomic nervous system function, including non-neuronal signaling, contributes to bladder pathophysiology.
- Interactions between adrenergic and cholinergic systems are crucial in bladder control.
- Further research is needed to understand the full implications of these changes.
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