Pharmacology and Physiology of the Lower Urinary Tract

Overview

The function of the lower urinary tract is simple – urine storage and voiding. However, despite this simplicity of function, the control of the lower urinary tract is a rather complex, multilevel process (urothelium, detrusor, peripheral nerves, spinal cord and higher cerebral centres) and the mechanisms involved remain poorly elucidated. This study is designed to gain a more in depth understanding of the lower urinary tract function. Using bladder biopsies, tissue staining for characteristic markers present on nerves and other cells will be performed. We hypothesize that certain markers are altered in disease and turn back towards the control level of healthy people or patients with successful medical treatment.

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: December 2008

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • 1
    • Patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction
  • 2
    • Controls with normal lower urinary tract function

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Immunohistochemistry + PCR of bladder tissue
    • Time Frame: not specified (storage of biopsies)

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction – Controls with normal lower urinary tract function Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age < 18 years old – Pregnancy

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University College London Hospitals
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Prof C J Fowler, Prof C H Fry, Dep Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Clare J Fowler, FRCP, Principal Investigator, Department of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
    • Suzy Elneil, PhD, MRCOG, Principal Investigator, Department of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
  • Overall Contact(s)
    • Thomas M Kessler, MD, 44-207-829-8713, tkessler@gmx.ch

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