Viral vectors for treating neurogenic detrusor overactivity

A method of selectively silencing afferent neurons of the bladder in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the patient a herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) viral expression vector comprising at least:

• a) a Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) promoter;
• b) at least one transcription cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter,
• wherein the nucleotide sequence prevents the neurotransmitter filled synaptic vesicles from attaching to the presynaptic membrane, therefore inhibiting exocytosis of the neurotransmitter from the presynaptic nerve terminal, and
• wherein the nucleotide sequence codes for a wild-type or a modified bacterial neurotoxin light chain of Clostridium tetani or botulinum or for an active fragment thereof disrupting the SNARE complex or an active fragment thereof;
• and
• c) one sequence conferring long-term expression, wherein the long-term expression sequence is an LTE and a DNA insulator from the HSV-1 genome, and wherein the transcription cassette is placed between the LTE and the DNA insulator.