Research Projects
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Pharmaceutical Companies
Other Projects
Over its 10-year history, the Center has enjoyed continuous funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with total support of over $18 million. The following is a list of on-going studies funded by NI and comparable federal funding sources in other countries (Canada and Israel):
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National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Pharmaceutical Companies
Other ProjectsOver its 10-year history, the Center has enjoyed continuous funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with total support of over $18 million. The following is a list of on-going studies funded by NI and comparable federal funding sources in other countries (Canada and Israel):
R24 DK067674 (Whitehead and Drossman, co-PIs)
NIDDKD
7/1/04-6/30/09
$4,450,000
Infrastructure grant titled “Gastrointestinal biopsychosocial research center,” submitted in response to RFA OB-03-004, Mind-Body Interactions and Health: Research in Infrastructure Program.
Aims: The goals of the grant are (1) to establish a network of collaborators within UNC and between the UNC Center and other sites nationally and internationally to carry out research on functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders, (2) to provide support for investigations through core resources (biostatistics, data acquisition technology, subject recruitment, project management), and (3) to recruit and train new investigators in this field.
NIDDKD
7/1/04-6/30/09
$4,450,000
Infrastructure grant titled “Gastrointestinal biopsychosocial research center,” submitted in response to RFA OB-03-004, Mind-Body Interactions and Health: Research in Infrastructure Program.
Aims: The goals of the grant are (1) to establish a network of collaborators within UNC and between the UNC Center and other sites nationally and internationally to carry out research on functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders, (2) to provide support for investigations through core resources (biostatistics, data acquisition technology, subject recruitment, project management), and (3) to recruit and train new investigators in this field.
RO1 DK31369 (Whitehead, PI)
NIDDKD
12/1/02-11/31/07
$1,714,897
Psychophysiology of IBS
Aims: The aim of the proposed study is to determine whether IBS is uniquely associated with specific comorbid conditions, which would suggest shared pathophysiology, or whether comorbidity is an expression of psychological contributions to the etiology of IBS. Study III, which is currently ongoing, tests the heterogeneity hypothesis, i.e., the hypothesis that IBS is not a single disease entity but instead represents a cluster of distinct etiologies for common bowel symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we plan to recruit 150 IBS patients and 50 healthy controls, to assess all the proposed mechanisms for the etiology of IBS, and to use the statistical method of cluster analysis to determine whether there are distinct subgroups. If the heterogeneity hypothesis is supported by this analysis, the plan is to test a new sample of 150 IBS patients to determine whether the same subgroups can be confirmed by replication.
NIDDKD
12/1/02-11/31/07
$1,714,897
Psychophysiology of IBS
Aims: The aim of the proposed study is to determine whether IBS is uniquely associated with specific comorbid conditions, which would suggest shared pathophysiology, or whether comorbidity is an expression of psychological contributions to the etiology of IBS. Study III, which is currently ongoing, tests the heterogeneity hypothesis, i.e., the hypothesis that IBS is not a single disease entity but instead represents a cluster of distinct etiologies for common bowel symptoms. To test this hypothesis, we plan to recruit 150 IBS patients and 50 healthy controls, to assess all the proposed mechanisms for the etiology of IBS, and to use the statistical method of cluster analysis to determine whether there are distinct subgroups. If the heterogeneity hypothesis is supported by this analysis, the plan is to test a new sample of 150 IBS patients to determine whether the same subgroups can be confirmed by replication.
K23 (Ringel, PI)
NIDDK
10/01/06-11/01/11
$632,595
The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in the Pathophysiology or Irritable Bowel Syndome
Aims: (1) To compare sub-clinical mucosal inflammation between patients with diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D) and controls. (2) To compare clinically accessible biomarkers for sub-clinical intestinal inflammation with alterations in mucosal immune function in patients with IBS. (3) To investigate whether alterations in intestinal inflammatory cytokines are associated with alterations in relevant intestinal physiology.
NIDDK
10/01/06-11/01/11
$632,595
The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in the Pathophysiology or Irritable Bowel Syndome
Aims: (1) To compare sub-clinical mucosal inflammation between patients with diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D) and controls. (2) To compare clinically accessible biomarkers for sub-clinical intestinal inflammation with alterations in mucosal immune function in patients with IBS. (3) To investigate whether alterations in intestinal inflammatory cytokines are associated with alterations in relevant intestinal physiology.
FRN 63138 (Toner, PI; Drossman, Co-PI)
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
09/01/05-08/31/10
$1,416,740 ($460,033 -- UNC subcontract)
Multicenter trial of combined cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant treatment in functional bowel disorders
Aims: The primary aim of this study is to compare the outcome of combined treatment of CBT and desipramine against single treatment (CBT or desipramine) among patients with moderate or severe functional bowel disorder. Secondary aims are (1) to identify demographic, symptomatic, physiological and psychosocial predictors of improvement; (2) to determine the relationship of GI physiology to abdominal pain and association with psychosocial variables; and (3) to determine whether treatment effects are mediated by changes in GI physiology and whether the effects are independent of psychosocial variables. The study assessment will be done at the University of Toronto, and data management and analysis will be coordinated at UNC.
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
09/01/05-08/31/10
$1,416,740 ($460,033 -- UNC subcontract)
Multicenter trial of combined cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant treatment in functional bowel disorders
Aims: The primary aim of this study is to compare the outcome of combined treatment of CBT and desipramine against single treatment (CBT or desipramine) among patients with moderate or severe functional bowel disorder. Secondary aims are (1) to identify demographic, symptomatic, physiological and psychosocial predictors of improvement; (2) to determine the relationship of GI physiology to abdominal pain and association with psychosocial variables; and (3) to determine whether treatment effects are mediated by changes in GI physiology and whether the effects are independent of psychosocial variables. The study assessment will be done at the University of Toronto, and data management and analysis will be coordinated at UNC.
RO1 HD36069 (Whitehead, PI of subcontract)
NICHD & NIDDKD
04/01/99-03/31/07
$203,510 (UNC subcontract)
Intergenerational Transmission of Illness Behavior
Aims of first grant: (1) To assess the ways parents respond to their children’s somatic complaints and to assess the relationship of parental reinforcement and modeling to various measures of illness behavior in their children. (2) To determine whether the effects of modeling and reinforcement are independent of the psychosocial variables of family stress, competence, and parent and child psychological symptoms. Aims of competitive renewal funded 4/03-3/07: To carry out a prospective clinical trial to treat recurrent abdominal pain in children. The treatment model was based on findings from the initial grant.
NICHD & NIDDKD
04/01/99-03/31/07
$203,510 (UNC subcontract)
Intergenerational Transmission of Illness Behavior
Aims of first grant: (1) To assess the ways parents respond to their children’s somatic complaints and to assess the relationship of parental reinforcement and modeling to various measures of illness behavior in their children. (2) To determine whether the effects of modeling and reinforcement are independent of the psychosocial variables of family stress, competence, and parent and child psychological symptoms. Aims of competitive renewal funded 4/03-3/07: To carry out a prospective clinical trial to treat recurrent abdominal pain in children. The treatment model was based on findings from the initial grant.
K12 (Ringel, PI)
NCRR
01/01/06-09/20/06
$128,799
The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in the Pathophysiology of Functional GI Disorder
Aim: To compare sub-clinical mucosal inflammation between patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and controls.
NCRR
01/01/06-09/20/06
$128,799
The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in the Pathophysiology of Functional GI Disorder
Aim: To compare sub-clinical mucosal inflammation between patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and controls.
RO1 DK57048 (Whitehead, PI)
NIDDKD
04/01/99-03/31/07 (extension without funds)
$816,485
Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation
Aims: (1) to compare biofeedback to alternative therapies for which patients have a similar expectation of benefit; (2) to identify which patients are most likely to benefit; and (3) to assess the impact of treatment on quality of life. Two parallel randomized controlled trials are being conducted. One compares biofeedback to Kegel exercises for the treatment of fecal incontinence, and the second RCT compares biofeedback for pelvic floor relaxation to a muscle relaxing drug (diazepam) or to placebo tablets.
NIDDKD
04/01/99-03/31/07 (extension without funds)
$816,485
Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence and Constipation
Aims: (1) to compare biofeedback to alternative therapies for which patients have a similar expectation of benefit; (2) to identify which patients are most likely to benefit; and (3) to assess the impact of treatment on quality of life. Two parallel randomized controlled trials are being conducted. One compares biofeedback to Kegel exercises for the treatment of fecal incontinence, and the second RCT compares biofeedback for pelvic floor relaxation to a muscle relaxing drug (diazepam) or to placebo tablets.
U10 HD41267 (Anthony Visco, PI)
NICHD
9/01/02-6/30/11
$1,452,170
UNC Pelvic Floor Disorders Research Collaborative
This grant funds UNC as a component of a pelvic floor research network which will conduct one or more multicenter studies of the treatment of pelvic floor disorders including fecal and urinary incontinence. Current studies (1) compare different surgical techniques for repair of pelvic organ prolapse, (2) assess the incidence of fecal and urinary incontinence following external anal sphincter disruption during childbirth, (3) assess the prevalence of fecal and urinary incontinence in the NHANES study, and (4) validate a physical examination rating scale for pelvic floor. Projects for which our Center is taking the lead include (5) validation of a telephone survey for assessing fecal incontinence severity and quality of life impact, (6) assessing the impact of usual bowel habits (stool consistency) on the risk of fecal incontinence following obstetric injury, and (7) assessing the GI complications of abdominosacroculpopexy surgical repair for pelvic organ prolapse.
NICHD
9/01/02-6/30/11
$1,452,170
UNC Pelvic Floor Disorders Research Collaborative
This grant funds UNC as a component of a pelvic floor research network which will conduct one or more multicenter studies of the treatment of pelvic floor disorders including fecal and urinary incontinence. Current studies (1) compare different surgical techniques for repair of pelvic organ prolapse, (2) assess the incidence of fecal and urinary incontinence following external anal sphincter disruption during childbirth, (3) assess the prevalence of fecal and urinary incontinence in the NHANES study, and (4) validate a physical examination rating scale for pelvic floor. Projects for which our Center is taking the lead include (5) validation of a telephone survey for assessing fecal incontinence severity and quality of life impact, (6) assessing the impact of usual bowel habits (stool consistency) on the risk of fecal incontinence following obstetric injury, and (7) assessing the GI complications of abdominosacroculpopexy surgical repair for pelvic organ prolapse.
R21 AT3619 (Susan Gaylord, PI)
NICAM
10/01/06-09/30/09
$250,000
Mindfulness Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Aims: This is a pilot study to test the feasibility and design parameters for a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, in comparison to a patient support group control, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. A secondary aim is to evaluate the mechanism responsible for any treatment effects.
NICAM
10/01/06-09/30/09
$250,000
Mindfulness Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Aims: This is a pilot study to test the feasibility and design parameters for a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, in comparison to a patient support group control, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. A secondary aim is to evaluate the mechanism responsible for any treatment effects.
3R24DK067674-03 (Miranda Van Tilburg, PI)
NIDDK
9/1/06-8/31/08
$202,939
Supplement to Gastrointestinal Biopsychosocial Research Center (R24 DK67674 NIDDK)
Aims: To test the effectiviness of home based Guided Imagery to treat chronic abdominal pain of functional origin.
NIDDK
9/1/06-8/31/08
$202,939
Supplement to Gastrointestinal Biopsychosocial Research Center (R24 DK67674 NIDDK)
Aims: To test the effectiviness of home based Guided Imagery to treat chronic abdominal pain of functional origin.
BSF 2001043 (Sperber, PI; Drossman, Co-PI)
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation
01/01/02-09/31/07
$225,747 ($73,947 UNC subcontract)
Is Gynecology Surgery Associated with Subsequent Development of IBS and Other Painful Disorders
This prospective study evaluates the development of abdominal pain or IBS among women undergoing pelvic surgery for non-painful disorders.
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation
01/01/02-09/31/07
$225,747 ($73,947 UNC subcontract)
Is Gynecology Surgery Associated with Subsequent Development of IBS and Other Painful Disorders
This prospective study evaluates the development of abdominal pain or IBS among women undergoing pelvic surgery for non-painful disorders.
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