Spinal neuronal mechanism for voiding reflex and its functional recovery by optogenetic control of the neuronal circuit

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H04043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Hyogo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Furue Hidemasa 兵庫医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (20304884)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 神野 尚三 九州大学, 医学研究院, 教授 (10325524) ; 小林 憲太 生理学研究所, 行動・代謝分子解析センター, 准教授 (70315662)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 可塑性 / 排尿 / 機能亢進 / 脊髄 / 神経回路

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated spinal neuronal mechanisms for voiding reflex by using newly developed in vivo electrophysiological recording methods, and further examined how spinal neuronal activities related to micturition were altered following spinal cord injury. Our electrophysiological analyses showed that preganglionic parasympathetic neurons were pre- and postsynaptically inhibited by GABAergic neurons located in laminae II-III. Spinal cord injury induced a functional loss of micturition reflex, but the neuronal activity of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons was still intact. An inhibition of spinal GABAergic neurons using Gi-DREADDs system resulted in a functional recovery of micturition reflex. The present spinal neuronal mechanism for voiding reflex may be useful for future studies of basic and clinical medical sciences.

Free Research Field

神経生理・可塑性

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

排尿の中枢機構の詳細は、最近、橋の排尿中枢の神経機構が明らかにされているが、最終的な司令塔である脊髄副交感節前ニューロンの脊髄神経機構や、脊髄損傷後の神経機構の可塑的変化は未だ不明であった。本研究において脊髄機構の詳細を明らかにしたことは、神経生理学や神経科学の基礎医学の発展に寄与できる。また、臨床においても脊髄損傷後の神経因性膀胱では下部尿路機能の改善のみならず、脊髄をターゲットにした基礎医学的成果に基づいた新規治療法の開発に貢献できる。