Understanding spinal cord cell roles in bladder pain and function
Official title: Elucidating Roles of Distinct Spinal Cord Cell types in Mediating Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11386563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to map which spinal cord cells process bladder sensations and how they contribute to bladder pain and voiding problems in IC/BPS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,788 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140445-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or those with chronic bladder pain and voiding dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients without spinal-cord–related bladder pain pathways may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project will look at how different spinal cord cell types respond when the bladder is irritated and how these cells influence bladder control and pain signals. Researchers will use advanced tools to turn specific spinal cells on or off and observe the resulting effects on micturition and pain behavior. They will also trace how the information from the spinal cord reaches various brain regions and describe the molecular profile of these cells. The goal is to create a detailed map linking spinal circuits to bladder symptoms, which could lead to new therapies for IC/BPS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide new treatments that target spinal circuits to relieve bladder pain and improve bladder function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that spinal circuits influence bladder sensation and pain, but this project aims to define specific cell types and pathways, making it a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Samineni, Vijay K — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Samineni, Vijay K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How bladder support cells control the lining and bladder pain
Researchers are exploring whether special support cells in the bladder control nerve overgrowth and damage to the bladder lining in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
-
Personalized treatments for bladder pain (interstitial cystitis)
A treatment approach aiming at the underlying causes of bladder pain for people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
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Spinal cord cell types that drive bladder pain in interstitial cystitis (IC/BPS)
Researchers will use precise lab tools to find which spinal cord cells cause bladder pain and troublesome urination in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
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Understanding and treating bladder pain syndrome
This study is looking at interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) to find out more about different types of patients based on their symptoms, so we can create better, personalized treatments that really help with their pain and urinary issues.
-
Understanding how spinal cord cells affect bladder pain and function
This study is looking at how different types of cells in the spinal cord help process bladder pain and function in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, with the hope of finding better treatments for those who suffer from this condition.
-
Improving brain and muscle activity to reduce pain in women with bladder pain syndrome
This study is looking at how brain activity affects chronic pain in women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome and will use a special treatment called rTMS to see if it can help improve brain and pelvic muscle function to reduce pain.
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.