Understanding chronic pelvic pain and its causes

Preclinical phenotypic modeling of chronic urologic pelvic pain

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11116883

This study is looking into how early life experiences and stress might change the way our bodies feel pain in the pelvic area, which could help find new ways to treat chronic pelvic pain conditions like interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11116883 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind chronic urologic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS), which includes conditions like interstitial cystitis and chronic prostatitis. By using animal models, the study aims to explore how early life events and stress can alter the way the nervous system processes pain signals from the pelvic region. The researchers will examine the effects of neonatal bladder inflammation and maternal separation, along with adult stressors, to understand their impact on pain sensitivity. This work could lead to new therapeutic targets for managing chronic pelvic pain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic pelvic pain or related urologic conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with acute, non-chronic pelvic pain or those without any urologic conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pelvic pain conditions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding pain mechanisms through similar animal model approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.