Autonomic Control
Crossroad
Research theme: Monitoring
Clinical pillar: Autonomic Control - Functional and Neuro-Urology
Also involves other crossroads:
Crossroad Neuromodulation - Autonomic Control
Crossroad Cell Biology and Genetics - Autonomic Control
This research focusses on the use of neuromodulation by sacral nerve stimulation to regain control of urinary bladder, sphincter and lower urinary tract. In addition the utilisation of this technique to regain control on anorectal storage and evacuation problems is studied. Different forms of neuromodulation are being used and new neuromodulation techniques are being developed. The clinical research line is linked to the fundamental line with respect to the discovery these new techniques and strategies.
The strength of this research line is the multidisciplinary cross fertilization that expands the armamentarium of tools, techniques and strategies. The research history in this field going back to the early 90’s combined with a leading role in this field enables larger sized studies using existing and new techniques.
Unique contributions and highlights
- In a collaborative project with Urology, Colorectal surgery and Anaesthesiology, a project is ongoing that studies new stimulation methods for urological and colorectal applications based on knowledge from the anaesthesiological field. This is a fundamental research project with a translational branch to the clinical setting.
- Not only electrical neuromodulation techniques but also new ways such as pharmacological and alternative ways to influence reflexes are being studied in collaboration with other division-3 partners and in a partnership with the university of Aachen and Pittsburgh university. This involves discovery of cellular signalling modulation strategies targetting mitochondrial functioning, stress and inflammation pathways.
- In addition, this research is instantaneously linked to the imaging research that is facilitated by the recent arrival of MRI compatible stimulators.
- To evaluate the different treatment strategies new and innovative monitoring tools are needed. For this reason the “Uromate” has been developed and tested. This is a momentary assessment and experience sampling tool that monitors complaints due to urinary tract dysfunction in combination with affective symptomatology in everyday life.
- Large scale studies on long term therapy evaluation have been conducted. On the basis of these unique data a Value based health care VBHC project is started to improve patient selection and targeting which will create a structure that is very attractive for new business and therapy discovery.
Staff involved in this crossroad