New Ways to Protect Muscles After Childbirth Injury
Official title: Multimodal Interventions to Prevent Anal Sphincter Dysfunction After Childbirth-Related Neuromuscular Injury
Funded at Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego · NIH-11138544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores new treatments to help women avoid accidental stool leakage after childbirth by healing injured nerves and muscles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $179,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD110776-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational animal research is for future benefit, but it aims to help women who experience nerve and muscle injuries during childbirth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose fecal incontinence is not related to childbirth-related nerve or muscle injury may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Many women experience accidental stool leakage, known as fecal incontinence, often due to injuries to the anal sphincter muscle and nerves during childbirth. This problem can significantly impact daily life, but current treatments are not always effective. This project uses a rabbit model to understand how these injuries heal and to test new therapies. We are looking at ways to encourage nerve regrowth and reduce scarring in the muscle, aiming to prevent long-term issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or significantly reduce fecal incontinence in women who experience childbirth-related injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While previous animal studies have confirmed the injury mechanisms, this project introduces novel sustained-release therapies for nerve and muscle regrowth.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajasekaran, Mahadevan Raj — Veterans Medical Research Fdn/san Diego
- Study coordinator: Rajasekaran, Mahadevan Raj
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.