About this Research Topic
One of the major problems related to patients with functional urological dysfunctions is the extensive list of possible aetiologies underlying the same clinical symptoms. Clear examples of this statement include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), overactive bladder (OAB) and chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CPPS), which make difficult to understand the pathophysiology of urological symptoms and establish a target therapy. Therefore, available treatments are symptom oriented and not oriented to the pathophysiological mechanism at stake. This contributes decisively to the low percentage of success many treatments have.
Studies that aim to learn about the etiology and pathophysiology of BPH, OAB or CPPS rely on animal models of the diseases. While in the past, animal models were most exclusively bladder-centric, in the recent years more complex models trying to mimic bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity and bladder pain have been developed. This evolution was undoubtedly related with the change of clinical paradigm involving these functional urological conditions. BPH related symptoms may be caused by bladder dysfunction including the emergence of new reflex circuits in the spinal cord. OAB may have multiple aetiologies including central and peripheral still unrecognized neurological changes. Bladder pain syndrome as part of CPPS may not be a bladder but rather a systemic disease with predominant bladder manifestation.
As part of our journal’s mission to address key aspects of urology, including new avenues for urological diagnosis, prevention and treatment, Frontiers in Urology is organizing a Research Topic on “Experimental Models of Functional Urological Dysfunction”. Led by an expert team of editors, the Research Topic will accept all article types within this area of research, with the aim of giving the reader an overview of the latest discoveries and new findings in the area.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
- Animals models of bladder outlet obstruction
- Models of OAB
- Animal models of CPPS
Studies that aim to learn about the etiology and pathophysiology of BPH, OAB or CPPS rely on animal models of the diseases. While in the past, animal models were most exclusively bladder-centric, in the recent years more complex models trying to mimic bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor overactivity and bladder pain have been developed. This evolution was undoubtedly related with the change of clinical paradigm involving these functional urological conditions. BPH related symptoms may be caused by bladder dysfunction including the emergence of new reflex circuits in the spinal cord. OAB may have multiple aetiologies including central and peripheral still unrecognized neurological changes. Bladder pain syndrome as part of CPPS may not be a bladder but rather a systemic disease with predominant bladder manifestation.
As part of our journal’s mission to address key aspects of urology, including new avenues for urological diagnosis, prevention and treatment, Frontiers in Urology is organizing a Research Topic on “Experimental Models of Functional Urological Dysfunction”. Led by an expert team of editors, the Research Topic will accept all article types within this area of research, with the aim of giving the reader an overview of the latest discoveries and new findings in the area.
Sub-themes for this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
- Animals models of bladder outlet obstruction
- Models of OAB
- Animal models of CPPS
Keywords: Experimental Models, Neurourological Dysfunction, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Overactive Bladder, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Animal Models
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
