Neurogenic mechanisms in bladder and bowel ageing

Ranson, Richard N. and Saffrey, M. Jill (2015). Neurogenic mechanisms in bladder and bowel ageing. Biogerontology, 16(2) pp. 265–284.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-015-9554-3

Abstract

The prevalence of both urinary and faecal incontinence, and also chronic constipation, increases with ageing and these conditions have a major impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Management of bladder and bowel dysfunction in the elderly is currently far from ideal and also carries a significant financial burden. Understanding how these changes occur is thus a major priority in biogerontology. The functions of the bladder and terminal bowel are regulated by complex neuronal networks. In particular neurons of the spinal cord and peripheral ganglia play a key role in regulating micturition and defaecation reflexes as well as promoting continence. In this review we discuss the evidence for ageing-induced neuronal dysfunction that might predispose to neurogenic forms of incontinence in the elderly.

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About

• Item ORO ID
• 42168
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1573-6768
• Project Funding Details

• Funded Project Name	Project ID	Funding Body
  Integrated analysis of the impact of age-associated neuronal and enteroendocrine changes on normal bowel functions	BB/G015988/1	BBSRC

• Keywords
• neuroscience; ageing; bladder; bowel; anal sphincter; incontinence; constipation; autonomic nervous system; enteric nervous system
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2015 The Authors
• Depositing User
• Jill Saffrey