Urodynamic changes in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis correlate with neurological impairment

Abstract

Aims: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is a major issue in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). High intravesical pressure should be treated early. Available therapies are insufficient and there is need for drug development and investigation of pathogenesis. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rodents is a well validated model to study MS. Previous research has shown that these animals develop urinary symptoms. However, from clinical studies, we know that symptoms do not necessarily reflect changes in bladder pressure. This paper aims to provide a complete overview of urodynamic changes in a modelfor detrusor overactivity inMS. Methods: Female C57Bl/6J mice, injected with MOG35–55 and control mice, injected with vehicle (Complete Freund’s adjuvant), were monitored daily for neurologic symptoms. Within 1 month after symptom development, mice were used for cystometry or histology of the bladder. Results: Increasing disease score correlated with increased micturition frequency, basal pressure, and average pressure, and with a decrease in functional bladder capacity, voiding amplitude, and maximum pressure. Conclusions: This paper provides a detailed description of bladder function in C57Bl/6J mice with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55) induced EAE. This EAE model induces detrusor overactivity in close relationship to neurological impairment. EAE in mice is a suitable model to study detrusor overactivity in MS. Neurourol. Urodynam.