Animal models of multiple sclerosis and the lower urinary tract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease, and lower urinary tract symptoms and dysfunction (LUTS/D) contribute to loss of quality of life, morbidity, and need for medical intervention in most MS patients. MS-LUTS/D is broadly understood as being caused by impaired brain–bladder connectivity. However, the relative roles of inflammation versus demyelination, whether or not local changes within the bladder itself, contribute to dysfunction, and prospective preventive or corrective therapies are all poorly understood. The distortions of MS-LUTS/D can be better understood by the careful choice and application of animal models of MS, for which there is an urgent need. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the available animal models of MS that are relevant for MS-LUTS/D research. For these models, we discuss the MS pathophysiology, the impact on lower urinary control, and the advantages and disadvantages of using these models.