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

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.