Constipation in systemic sclerosis: nerve and muscle causes
Official title: Interrogating the pathophysiological mechanisms of constipation in patients with systemic sclerosis
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11159431 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether problems with gut nerves and pelvic floor muscles explain different types of constipation in people with systemic sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $560,711 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081382-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159431 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with systemic sclerosis who experience chronic or severe constipation and can travel to the research site for testing.
✕Less likely to help
People without systemic sclerosis or those whose constipation is caused by a clear mechanical obstruction or unrelated medications may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will perform tests that measure how fast your colon moves, how sensitive your rectum is, how well your anal muscles relax, and how your autonomic nervous system is working. Some participants may undergo noninvasive autonomic stimulation to see if nerve activation improves bowel function. The team will use these measurements to identify subgroups of patients who have different underlying causes for their constipation. Understanding these differences could help match patients to better treatments in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more personalized treatments such as targeted nerve stimulation or other therapies that relieve constipation in people with scleroderma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked autonomic dysfunction to GI problems in systemic sclerosis, but using autonomic stimulation to treat constipation is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcmahan, Zsuzsanna Hortobagyi — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Mcmahan, Zsuzsanna Hortobagyi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding constipation in systemic sclerosis and how autonomic stimulation may help
A patient-centered look at a study testing whether stimulating the autonomic nervous system can improve constipation in people with systemic sclerosis.
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Understanding constipation in patients with systemic sclerosis
This study is looking into why people with systemic sclerosis often have constipation, focusing on how their body's nerves and muscles might be affecting their bowel movements, with the goal of finding better ways to help them feel better.
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Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
A five-year NIH grant aims to understand how a specific cell protein called SLC9A1 influences scar-forming cells in systemic sclerosis and related lung disease, with the goal of finding possible therapies.
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From proteins and genes to new treatments for scar-related lung disease
A large NIH grant is working to map the proteins in the lungs of people with systemic sclerosis to find new targets for drugs that could slow or stop lung fibrosis.
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Cell-level clues to skin scarring in systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma
A study at the University of Pittsburgh is looking at how skin cells and their helpers change at the DNA level in adults and children with systemic sclerosis to find new targets to reduce scarring.
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Clinical-Translational Studies in Skin, Lung, and Blood Vessel Problems in Systemic Sclerosis
A NIH grant supports coordinated efforts to understand and improve health for people with systemic sclerosis and related conditions by sharing resources, data, and pilot projects at MUSC.
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.