Richard Berger, professor of urology, hasreceived a two-year, $1 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Foundation for Medical Research to continue research on chronic pelvic pain in men. The grant will be equally distributed over two years.
Berger's lab has developed a working model of idiopathic prostatitis, disease of the prostate gland, from clinical experience and ongoing research concerning the causes of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). He and his colleagues have found that the application of botulism toxin (Botox) may serve as an alternative to antibiotics, which are not always successful in significantly decreasing pain and difficulty with urination-- common symptoms of CPPS. Berger's research has demonstrated that spinal chord sensitization helps set up a cycle of increased pain sensitivity, muscle spasm and increased pain from mild stimuli. He has also shown that genetic and stress factors may increase the likelihood of developing CPPS.
The Paul G. Allen Foundation for Medical Research, founded in 1988, is administered through Vulcan Inc. in Seattle.
October 11, 2002