Spatiotemporal dynamics of synaptic drive in urinary bladder syncytium: A computational investigation

Nilapratim Sengupta, Keith L Brain, Rohit Manchanda

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)
198 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The urinary bladder wall is composed of the detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) in which adjacent cells are electrically coupled to form a three dimensional syncytium. The structural complexity of the tissue is further enhanced by a distributed innervation pattern. Experimental techniques employed in order to analyze detrusor excitability have been unable as yet to provide a satisfactory understanding of either the normal electrical functioning of the tissue, or of the changes that come about in pathological conditions. Our work aims at exploring the interplay between factors that determines the spread of junction potentials in the tissue which is critical for generation of action potential and subsequent contraction of the bladder wall. Results from our model suggest that in the detrusor syncytium, the mean interval between subsequent spontaneous neurotransmitter releases at a single varicosity is about 91.5 seconds such that in the normally functioning tissue, spontaneous transient depolarizations (STDs) occur with a mean interval of 2-7 seconds. Increase in neurotransmitter release frequency might result in higher excitability of the tissue, leading to bladder instability. Results also indicate that increase in intercellular coupling is another probable cause for such a pathophysiological scenario.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication37th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2015
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages8074-7
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2015

Publication series

NameIEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
ISSN (Print)1557-170X

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Urology
  • Pharmacology
  • Signal Processing
  • Physiology

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