Brain circuits linked to bladder pain and anxiety
CNS Mechanisms of IC/BPS
This project looks at two types of brain cells in the central amygdala to learn how they influence bladder pain, urinary symptoms, and anxiety in people with IC/BPS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11349724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know researchers are using advanced molecular and brain-mapping tools to examine two specific cell groups in the central amygdala that change during bladder pain. They combine single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and circuit-level experiments in laboratory models that mimic IC/BPS to see how those cells affect pain, urination, and mood. The work links cell-level changes to behaviors like bladder urgency and anxiety to find which cells make pain worse or reduce it. If successful, these findings could guide development of targeted drugs or brain-directed therapies for people with IC/BPS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults diagnosed with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome who have bladder-filling pain and urinary urgency or frequency, especially those also experiencing anxiety or depression.
Not a fit: People without IC/BPS, patients whose bladder symptoms have a different diagnosed cause, or those seeking immediate symptom relief are unlikely to get direct benefit from this mainly laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to specific brain-cell targets for new drugs or therapies that reduce bladder pain and the associated anxiety and urinary problems.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work from this team identified two central amygdala neuron populations linked to bladder pain, so this project builds on solid preliminary findings though translation to therapies is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gereau, Robert W — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Gereau, Robert W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.