The prevalence of the overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) increases with age. This presentation will shortly summarize our knowledge of the pathophysiology of the aged urinary bladder, particularly how this may affect or even limit medical treatment.

Its’ main focus will be whether and how treatment responses to established OAB treatments change with age. The efficacy of first line treatments such as muscarinic receptor antagonists and β3-adrenoceptor agonists may show some reduction in the elderly, but the extent of those reductions is limited so that they remain effective treatments. However, the elderly may be more susceptible to side effects of such treatments. Most excitingly, data are emerging that novel treatments may prevent or even reverse bladder ageing – at least in rodents.