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Kennedy C. ATP as a cotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system. Auton Neurosci. 2015 Apr 25. pii: S1566-0702(15)00040-5. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2015.04.004. [Epub ahead of print]

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a transporter of energy in the body, can play a role in key urologic functions such as bladder contraction, and its release may be affected by interstitial cystitis (IC). Therefore, there is hope that new treatments that target ATP, or that target receptors of ATP could someday be used to treat the disease. One good example is a group of receptors known as the P2X receptors, which are upregulated in IC and other related bladder conditions. ATP interacts with P2X receptors in several different ways; consequently, there is a great deal of interest now in developing a potential treatment. However, research is still at early stages.