Understanding how the brain controls urgency urinary incontinence
Official title: Investigation of brain mechanisms involved in Urgency Urinary Incontinence
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10661662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works when it comes to urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), a condition that many older adults experience, and it aims to find better treatments by using biofeedback and exploring how medications affect bladder control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $599,799 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG064251-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10661662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing urgency urinary incontinence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of urinary incontinence unrelated to urgency may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain mechanisms that contribute to urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), a common and distressing condition, particularly among older adults. By using biofeedback techniques, the study aims to identify different brain responses to treatments and understand how these responses can inform better therapeutic approaches. The researchers will explore how drug treatments affect brain circuits involved in bladder control, potentially leading to new treatment targets. Patients may be involved in assessments that help clarify these brain mechanisms and their relationship to bladder function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for urgency urinary incontinence, improving quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using biofeedback to explore brain mechanisms in bladder control has shown promising results, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarkson, Becky D — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Clarkson, Becky D
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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.