# Spinal Mechanisms Underlying Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndromes (IC/BPS)

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $654,042

## Abstract

Abstract
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndromes (IC/BPS) are a debilitating condition with unknown etiology. The
spinal cord has long been identified as a critical site in integrating both non-noxious (bladder function) and
noxious (intense bladder pressure or discomfort) sensory information from the bladder. These spinal circuits
are known to exert a tighter control over bladder voiding and storage under naïve state. While the role of
lumbosacral spinal cord neural circuitry in micturition and bladder sensation has long been studied, the precise
cell types in the spinal cord that contribute to processing micturition and bladder nociception remains poorly
understood. In preliminary studies, we have discovered two unique cell populations in the spinal cord that play
a role in micturition and bladder nociception. Here we propose to build on this preliminary work to methodically
dissect the roles of these spinal neurons in the voiding regulation and bladder nociception in pathological
cystitis state. We will determine if cystitis leads to maladaptive changes in these spinal cord neurons. Could
manipulating activity of these spinal cord neurons potentially attenuate bladder symptoms associated with
pathological cystitis state? Completing these proposed studies, will advances our understanding of spinal
circuits in cystitis and will provide a possible entry point into the spinal circuits for development of possible
therapeutic drugs in treatment of the IC/BPS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10859972
- **Project number:** 1R01DK139386-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Vijay K Samineni
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $654,042
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-10 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10859972

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10859972, Spinal Mechanisms Underlying Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndromes (IC/BPS) (1R01DK139386-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10859972. Licensed CC0.

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