Disease mechanisms
Chronic disease
Overactive bladder
This is a major lower urinary tract dysfunction which affects the quality of lives of many people worldwide. In this condition the bladder smooth muscle spontaneously contracts whilst the bladder fills, which can lead to urge, frequency and urinary incontinence.
Current pharmacotherapy, usually anti-cholinergic agents, is hindered by severe side effects, therefore the aim is to develop more effective treatments. For this, greater knowledge of the normal functioning and pathophysiology of the urinary bladder is required. Studies in the Biomedical Research Centre are investigating the physiology and pharmacology of the bladder, in particular receptor function and ion channel activity and expression in the detrusor muscle. Research is also focused on bladder functioning in pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus and on intracellular signaling in bladder over activity.
These studies are led by Dr Neil McKay with Dr Kim Lawson.
