Box 3453
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC 27710
Phone: 919-286-0411, ext. 6362
Fax: 919-286-6824
dolber@duke.edu

 

Neurourology laboratories are located on the fourth floor of the Durham VA Research Center. The facilities are composed of a well-equipped, whole animal, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, and cystometry recording lab (400 sf.); an adjacent acute surgery suite (200 s.f.); an image-analysis microscopy room for quantitative immunohistochemistry (100 s.f.); and an in vitro smooth muscle contractility system and wet lab for autoradiography and histology preparations (200 s.f.). In addition, the laboratory has computer-based micturition recording systems that allow for chronic recording of micturition frequency and volume.

 

The laboratory facilities serve our multi-disciplinary approach to the study of neural control of lower urinary tract (LUT) function. Neuroanatomical tracing studies allow us to identify neurons in the central nervous system that control LUT function; immunohistochemistry allows identification of putative neurotransmitters and growth factors that are associated with those neurons; receptor autoradiography allows identification of receptor subtypes that effect neuronal function; and the in vitro contractility and whole animal neurophysiology/cystometry labs allow determination of pharmacological and physiological effects of drugs that interact with the neurotransmitter systems identified through anatomical methods. In addition, our fellows have access to state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques. 

 

Current research efforts are focused on central nervous system changes in the setting of spinal cord injury, and neural and muscular changes in the urethra in diabetes mellitus.