OVERALL DESCRIPTION OF THE COLORADO P20 CENTER
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such as frequency, urgency, and incontinence are often observed in patients with neurological disorders, and usually result from the damage to the peripheral and central nervous systems. The lack of understanding of pathophysiology and mechanisms underlying lower urinary tract dysfunction in neurological disorders hampers the development of therapeutic strategies and treatment options for these patients. Colorado IR-BU
Center takes an integrative translational approach to study neurogenic bladder dysfunction resulted from neurodegenerative disorders. The Center is supported by P20 grant from the
NIH/NIDDK (P20 DK097819) and is entitled “Neurogenic bladder dysfunctions in neurological disorders”. The PI/PD of this Center grant, Dr. Anna Malykhina, is Associate Professor in the
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at the University of Colorado Denver. She assembled a great team of basic scientists and clinical investigators on the Anschutz Medical Campus to continue these promising studies. The research focus of the Center is on neurogenic voiding dysfunction associated with the impairment of neural control of the LUT using a multiple sclerosis
(MS) model as an example of a neurodegenerative disorder. Studies aimed to analyze voiding dysfunction and the mechanisms of bladder pathophysiology in MS using an animal model, are correlated with profiles of LUTS in patients diagnosed with MS in order to understand the mechanisms of functional interplay between the urologic and nervous systems. By providing this new knowledge base, and highlighting the CNS as an additional determinant of urological function, the Center has a major impact on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis. The overall theme is structured around an underlying hypothesis that neurodegenerative changes in the CNS affect centers that regulate voiding, thereby, promoting neurogenic voiding dysfunction in children and adults. This hypothesis links animal and human studies, and takes an advantage of our team`s unique clinical expertise in pediatric dysfunctional voiding in children diagnosed with MS.