Non-invasive urine tests to spot early bladder damage
NIMBLE: Non-Invasive Markers of Bladder Deterioration
Urine tests are being developed to find early bladder damage in children with spina bifida who use catheterization or bladder medicines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128522 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Children born with spina bifida often have a neurogenic bladder that needs catheterization, medicines, and frequent monitoring to protect the kidneys. This project looks for a panel of urine biomarkers that change before the bladder or kidneys get worse, using urine samples and clinical follow-up from affected children. The team will compare these urine markers with standard tests like urodynamics and clinical outcomes to see which markers predict deterioration. The goal is a simpler, less invasive way to flag children who need earlier treatment to prevent kidney damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with neurogenic bladder due to spina bifida who use catheterization or take anticholinergic bladder medications are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without neurogenic bladder (including most children without spina bifida), adults not enrolled at study sites, or those with already advanced kidney failure are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tests could catch bladder problems earlier and reduce reliance on invasive urodynamics, helping prevent kidney damage.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot work including this team's preliminary data found promising urine markers, but no urine biomarker panel has yet been prospectively validated as an independent predictor of bladder deterioration.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Richard Sang-Yong — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lee, Richard Sang-Yong
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.