Neuroscience and Neuro-Urology Research
Normal bladder function of urine storage and voiding are controlled by neural circuitry of brain and spinal cord. Despite that voiding function has been shown to be mediated by pontine micturition center (PMC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG) regions of the brain, knowledge about the type of neurons involved in the voiding reflex, the neural innervation of these brain regions and mechanisms of action, remain unclear.
Our lab uses state of the art neural mapping methods coupled with careful measurements of bladder function in awake and anesthetized mice, to define how the brain integrates signals from the bladder and the external environment to control bladder filling and voiding.
Because disturbances in the brain control of bladder and sphincter function can cause or contribute to, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), understanding these control circuits is central to the identification of new cellular and molecular targets, which in turn will inform the development of newer and clinically practical drugs.
Center for Life Science building
Location: Our lab is located in the Center for Life Science, where many of our collaborators from the Departments of Neurology and Medicine at BIDMC are also located.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Center for Life Science
3 Blackfan Circle, Boston, MA 02215