Neuro-Urology Research

Dr. Verstegen has a broad background in research and with specific training in key areas of molecular and cellular biology, behavioral and systems neuroscience, and with expertise in stereotaxic surgery techniques, design and execution of experimental paradigms coupled with optogenetics, and mouse genetics. She graduated in Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience at Utrecht University (NL) and obtained a Ph.D. degree at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). Her current research projects aim to identify the neural networks that control urine storage and voiding. Because disturbances in the brain control of the bladder and sphincter can cause or contribute to LUTS, understanding these control circuits may lead to potential therapies. Besides unraveling and mapping the neural circuitry, she is interested in understanding which neuro-regulators are involved and in associating function with distinct neuron subpopulations in aspects of bladder control.

1. Neuro-Urology Research: A Comprehensive Overview Section I - Neuroscience in Urology Research 2. Barrington’s Nucleus: A Century of Progress Identifying the Neurons that Control Micturition 3. Voluntary versus Reflex Micturition Control 4. The Bladder as a Readout in Neuroscience Research Section II - Fundamental and Translational Neuro-Urology Research 5. How Treatment of LUTS can Benefit from Basic Research 6. Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Neurological Disorders 7. Effect of Androgens and Estrogens on Bladder and Lower Urinary Tract Function Section III - Neurobiological Tools Applied to Neuro-Urology Research 8. Transcriptomic Identification of Cell Types in the Lower Urinary Tract 9. Exploring Urinary Bladder Neural Circuitry through Calcium Imaging Section IV - Research Directions and Research Opportunities 10. The Periaqueductal Gray and Control of Bladder Function 11. Impact of Spinal Neuromodulation on Spinal Neural Networks Controlling Lower Urinary Tract Function 12. Neural Control of Continence