New Frontiers of Basic Science Research in Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction.

The lower urinary tract's main functions are storage and elimination. The micturition reflex pathway is modulated by the spinobulbospinal reflex pathway as well as higher brain centers involved in the voluntary micturition control. Micturition is sensitive to numerous injuries, resulting in various types of dysfunction. Animal studies indicate that lower urinary tract dysfunction partly depends on plasticity of the neural pathways. Reflex plasticity is associated with changes in ion channels, receptors, and numerous mediators. Animal models may aid in understanding the mechanisms leading to pathologic conditions and the plasticity in reflex pathways to the lower urinary tract after neurogenic lesions.