Experimental Drug Restores Some Bladder Function After SCI
Topic: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Author: Ohio State University
Published: 2018/06/05
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: LM11A-31 appears to help by blocking dual activity of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) and a receptor called p75.
Introduction
An experimental drug that blocks abnormal neural communication after spinal cord injury could one day be the key to improving quality of life by improving bladder function, new research suggests.
Main Item
Researchers at The Ohio State University tested the drug - which is currently available only for research - to gauge its potential to improve bladder function after spinal cord injury in mice and saw promising results.
The experimental drug (LM11A-31) appears to help by blocking the dual activity of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) and a receptor called p75. ProNGF is known to be secreted from the cell after nerve injury.
After a month-long treatment after spinal cord injury in mice, bladder volume decreased significantly to a level close to normal, said lead researcher Sung Ok Yoon, an associate professor of biological chemistry and pharmacology at Ohio State.
The study appears in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
In humans, spinal cord injuries sever the communication between the bladder and the brain, leading to the loss of the normal ability to urinate at will. This leads to bladder over-filling, which causes high pressure and bladder enlargement due to thickening of the muscular bladder walls. This can cause urine to return to the kidney, which can lead to kidney infection and disease, Yoon said.
People with spinal cord injury typically rely on a catheter to pass urine.
Eventually, Yoon said, a new circuit of nervous-system communication is formed within the spinal cord, and it allows urine to be expelled unexpectedly, causing incontinence.
"There are no approved medications to treat bladder dysfunction brought on by spinal cord injuries, something that is a major concern and diminishes quality of life for these patients," Yoon said.
"This drug appears to help maintain near-normal bladder pressure and less unexpected expulsion of urine in mice."
Because the experimental drug does not restore normal communication between the bladder and the brain, it is certainly not a cure, Yoon said.
Based on the mouse study, however, patients are likely to experience reduced bladder volume, which would lower the risk of bladder infection and reflux to the kidney, and less incontinence.
"The structure as well as the integrity of the neural communication in the bladder is expected to improve as well, contributing to the overall health of the bladder," she said.
Yoon and her collaborators also confirmed - through samples from two recent spinal-cord injury patients - the presence of proNGF in the urine within hours after injury.
Urine from healthy people does not contain the growth factor.
Yoon said that since the drug counteracts proNGF action, these findings could potentially be extended to further research into other types of bladder dysfunction besides spinal cord injury.
The research was supported by:
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Lone Star Paralysis Foundation
The Ohio State research team included:
- Lead author and research associate Jae Cheon Ryu
- Undergraduate students Anastasia Soulas, Tirzah Weiss and Nisha Ganesha
- Neurological surgeon H. Francis Farhadi of Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Ohio State University, and published on 2018/06/05, the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Ohio State University can be contacted at osu.edu. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Spinal Cord's Memory Function Surpasses Previous Assumptions - New research demonstrates the autonomous learning and memory capabilities of spinal cord neurons, highlighting their independence from cerebral control.
2 - Paresthesia Symptoms Negatively Impact Spinal Surgery Satisfaction - Patients often not satisfied with treatment for myelopathy when they have severe residual paresthesia, even when function and quality of life are improved after surgery.
3 - New Discovery Could Lead to Improvements for Spinal Cord Injuries - New research offers important insights into how the immune system responds to spinal cord injuries, and why that response becomes blunted with the passing years.
4 - AZD1236 Investigational Drug Fosters Nerve Repair After Spinal Injury - Researchers show that a brain-penetrating candidate drug can foster regeneration of damaged nerves after spinal trauma.
5 - Cell Pores Discovery: Hope for Millions of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Patients - Scientists discover new treatment to dramatically reduce swelling after brain and spinal cord injuries, offering hope to 75 million victims worldwide each year.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): Ohio State University. (2018, June 5). Experimental Drug Restores Some Bladder Function After SCI. Disabled World. Retrieved October 10, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/spinal/lm11a-31.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/spinal/lm11a-31.php">Experimental Drug Restores Some Bladder Function After SCI</a>: LM11A-31 appears to help by blocking dual activity of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) and a receptor called p75.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.