Brain Imaging Plus Urodynamics to Investigate the Brain's Control of the Bladder

Brain Imaging Plus Urodynamics to Investigate the Brain's Control of the Bladder

The goal of this project is to evaluate the applicability of non-invasive optical imaging for the measurement of brain function during investigation of the lower urinary tract.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ambulatory women over age 60, who are incontinent at least five times weekly for 3 months despite correction of potentially reversible causes.
• urinary incontinence (urge or predominantly urge) by clinical criteria.
• able to accurately complete a voiding diary, to perform a 24-hour pad test under direction.

Exclusion Criteria:

• significant mental impairment [mini mental status exam (MMSE) ≤ 20)
• urethral obstruction
• history of bladder cancer
• spinal cord lesions
• multiple sclerosis
• pelvic radiation
• interstitial cystitis
• artificial sphincter implant
• expected to have changes in medications/doses during the trial
• medically unstable
• Patients with factors that could cause transient UI [e.g., current urinary tract infection (UTI), acute confusion] will be treated in concert with the subject's primary care provider and considered for enrollment if their UI persists.
• conditions that require endocarditis prophylaxis (such as heart valve problems or bacterial endocarditis)