Margot Damaser, PhD
Staff
Senior Rehabilitation Career Scientist, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA
Email: [email protected]
Location: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Research
We use such tools as wireless communication and integrated circuit design to improve treatments for conditions that are common among the elderly, including stress urinary incontinence (leakage of urine), fecal incontinence (leakage of stool), and pelvic organ prolapse (the genitourinary organs fall out of position in the pelvic region). We are also investigating potential treatments to regrow/renew damaged pelvic tissue, including nerves, muscles, and the connective tissue between organs, with the goal of curing these common problems.
Biography
Education & Professional Highlights
"CIMER Trained Mentor" indicates the principal investigator has completed mentorship training based on curriculum from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research, aimed at advancing mentoring relationships and promoting cultural change in research.
Research
In my Urological Biomechanics Laboratory, we conduct regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and device development research aimed at improving the health of individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction, including urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. We have developed devices for wireless catheter-free monitoring of bladder and colon function and dysfunction, and are conducting studies to validate and improve them. These devices can be utilized to better understand the neural control of the bladder and colon and to enable closed loop neuromodulation of these organ systems.
We also test cellular and noncellular methods of regenerating nerves, muscles and connective tissue that are damaged during childbirth and other polytraumatic injuries to the pelvic region. These regenerative therapies include stem cells, secretions of stem cells, electrical stimulation, and elastogenic nanoparticles. We have several patents and patent applications, and we are continuously working with corporate colleagues to license and translate this research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of these common pelvic floor disorders.
Our Team
Selected Publications
View publications for Margot Damaser, PhD
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Janssen K, Deng K, Majerus SJA, Lin DL, Hanzlicek B, Butler RS, van der Vaart CH, Damaser MS. Transurethral versus suprapubic catheterization to test urethral function in rats. Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 13;11(1):14369. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93772-x. PMID: 34257341; PMCID: PMC8277785.
Brian M. Balog, Kangli Deng, Tessa Askew, Mei Kuang, Brett Hanzlicek, Margot S. Damaser. Brain derived neurotrophic factor mediates accelerated recovery of regenerative electrical stimulation in an animal model of stress urinary incontinence. Exp Neurol. 2021 Jun 5;113781. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113781. Online ahead of print.
Keung MS, Streijger F, Herrity A, Ethridge J, Dougherty SM, Aslan S, Webster M, Fisk S, Deegan EG, Tessier-Cloutier B, Chen KN, Morrison C, Okon EB, Tigchelaar S, Manouchehri N, Kim KT, Shortt K, So K, M.S. Damaser, Sherwood LC, Howland DR, Boakye M, Hubscher C, Stothers L, Kavanagh A, Kwon BK. Characterization of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction after Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury in Yucatan Minipigs. J Neurotrauma. 2021 May 1;38(9):1306-1326. doi: 10.1089/neu.2020.7404. Epub 2021 Mar 2.
Dahal S, Kuang M, Rietsch A, Butler RS, Ramamurthi A, M.S. Damaser. Quantitative Morphometry of Elastic Fibers in Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Ann Biomed Eng. 2021 Mar 23. doi: 10.1007/s10439-021-02760-9.
Balog, B.M., T. Askew, D.L. Lin, M. Kuang, B. Hanzlicek, M.S. Damaser (2020) The Pudendal Nerve Motor Branch Regenerates via a Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediated Mechanism. Experimental Neurology. 2020 Dec; 334: 113438.
Yang, J., B. Balog, K. Deng, B. Hanzlicek A. Rietsch, M. Kuang, S. Hatakeyama, E. Lach-Trifilieff, H. Zhu, M.S. Damaser (2020) Therapeutic potential of muscle growth promoters in a stress urinary incontinence model. American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology. 319(3): F436-F446.
Jameson, S.A., G. Swaminathan, S. Dahal, B. Couri, M. Kuang, A. Rietsch, M.S. Damaser, A. Ramamurthi (2020) Altered Elastin Homeostasis with Pelvic Organ Prolapse in the Lysyl Oxidase-Like-1 Knockout Mouse Model. Physiological Reports. 8(11): e14436.
Ferreira, J.P.S., M. Kuang, M. Marques, M.P.L. Parente, M.S. Damaser, R.M. Natal Jorge (2020) On the Mechanical Response of the Actomyosin Cortex during Cell Indentations. Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology. 110: 175-187.
Ferreira, J.P.S., M. Kuang, M.P.L. Parente, R.M. Natal Jorge, R. Wang, S.J. Eppell, M. Damaser (2020) Altered Mechanics of Vaginal Smooth Muscle Cells due to the Lysyl Oxidase-like 1 Knockout. Acta Biomaterialia. 110: 175-187.
Kocher, N.J., M.S. Damaser, and B.C. Gill (2020) Advances in Ambulatory Urodynamics. Current Urology Reports. 21(10): 41. doi: 10.1007/s11934-020-00989-w.
Gammie, A., J. Speich, M.S. Damaser, J. Gajewski, P. Abrams, P.F.W.M. Rosier, S. Arlandis, T. Tarcan, and E. Finazzi Agrò (2020) What Developments are Needed to Achieve Less Invasive Urodynamics? ICI-RS 2019. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 39(Suppl 3):S36-S42
Janssen, K., D.L. Lin, B. Hanzlicek, B.M. Balog, C.H. van der Vaart, M.S. Damaser (2019) Multiple Doses of Stem Cells Maintain Urethral Function in a Model of Neuromuscular Injury Resulting in Stress Urinary Incontinence. American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology. 317(4):F1047-F1057.
Balog, B.M., A. Tangada, P. Sheth, Q.-X. Song, B.M. Couri, L.L. Porras, G.G. Deng, M.S. Damaser (2019) Combination Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitor and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Treatment Reduces Non-Voiding Contractions in a Rat Model of Overactive Bladder. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 28; 14(8):e0220788.
Borazjani, A., B.M. Couri, M. Kuang, B.M. Balog, M.S. Damaser (2019) Role of lysyl oxidase like 1 in postpartum connective tissue metabolism in the mouse vagina. Biology of Reproduction. 101(5):916-927.
Deng, K., B.M. Balog, D.L. Lin, B. Hanzlicek, Q.-X. Song, H. Zhu, M.S. Damaser (2019) Daily Bilateral Pudendal Nerve Electrical Stimulation Improves Recovery from Stress Urinary Incontinence. Interface Focus. 9(4):20190020. Cover Article.
Basu, A., S. Majerus, E. Ferry, I. Makovey, H. Zhu, M.S. Damaser (2019) Is Submucosal Bladder Pressure Monitoring Feasible? Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 233(1):100-113.
Balog, B.M., K. Deng, V. Labhasetwar, K.J. Jones, and M.S. Damaser (2019) Electrical Stimulation for Neuroregeneration in Urology: A New Therapeutic Paradigm. Current Opinion in Urology. 29(4): 458-465.
Sun, D.Z., B. Abelson, P. Babbar, and M.S. Damaser (2019) Harnessing the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome for Regenerative Urology. Nature Reviews Urology. 16(6): 363-375.
Abelson, B., S. Majerus, D. Sun, B.C. Gill, E. Versi, and M.S. Damaser (2019) Ambulatory Urodynamic Monitoring: State of the Art and Future Directions. Nature Reviews Urology. 16(5): 291-301.
Basu, A., S. Majerus, E. Ferry, I. Makovey, H. Zhu, M.S. Damaser (2019) Is Submucosal Bladder Pressure Monitoring Feasible? Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine. 233(1):100-113.
Deng, K., B.M. Balog, D.L. Lin, B. Hanzlicek, Q.-X. Song, H. Zhu, M.S. Damaser (2019) Daily Bilateral Pudendal Nerve Electrical Stimulation Improves Recovery from Stress Urinary Incontinence. Interface Focus. 9(4):20190020. (Cover article)
Balog, B.M., K. Deng, V. Labhasetwar, K.J. Jones, and M.S. Damaser (2019) Electrical Stimulation for Neuroregeneration in Urology: A New Therapeutic Paradigm. Current Opinion in Urology. 29(4): 458-465.
Balog, B.M., A. Tangada, P. Sheth, Q.-X. Song, B.M. Couri, L.L. Porras, G.G. Deng, M.S. Damaser (2019) Combination Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Inhibitor and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Treatment Reduces Non-Voiding Contractions in a Rat Model of Overactive Bladder. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 28; 14(8):e0220788.
Janssen, K., D.L. Lin, B. Hanzlicek, B.M. Balog, C.H. van der Vaart, M.S. Damaser (2019) Multiple Doses of Stem Cells Maintain Urethral Function in a Model of Neuromuscular Injury Resulting in Stress Urinary Incontinence. American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology. 317(4):F1047-F1057.
Gammie A, et al.; The International Continence Society Urodynamic Equipment Working Group. International continence society guidelines on urodynamic equipment performance. Neurourol Urodyn 2014 Jan 4. doi: 10.1002/nau.22546. [Epub ahead of print].
Dissaranan C, et al. Rat mesenchymal stem cell secretome promotes elastogenesis and facilitates recovery from simulated childbirth injury. Cell Transplant 2013 Jul 17 [Epub ahead of print].
Gill BC, et al. Stress incontinence in the era of regenerative medicine: reviewing the importance of the pudendal nerve. J Urol 2013;190:22-8. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.01.082. Review.
Lenis AT, et al. Impact of parturition on chemokine homing factor expression in the vaginal distention model of stress urinary incontinence. J Urol 2013;189:1588-94. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.09.096.
Jiang HH, et al. Effects of acute selective pudendal nerve electrical stimulation after simulated childbirth injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013;304:F239-47.
Jiang HH, et al. Bladder dysfunction changes from underactive to overactive after experimental traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol 2013;240:57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.11.012.
Spirka T, et al. Effect of material properties on predicted vesical pressure during a cough in a simplified computational model of the bladder and urethra. Ann Biomed Eng 2013;41:185-94.
Gill BC, et al. Neurotrophin therapy improves recovery of the neuromuscular continence mechanism following simulated birth injury in rats. Neurourol Urodyn 2013;32:82-7. doi: 10.1002/nau.22264.
Cruz M, et al. Pelvic organ distribution of mesenchymal stem cells injected intravenously after simulated childbirth injury in female rats. Obstet Gynecol Int 2012;2012:612946.
Salcedo L, et al. Mesenchymal stem cells can improve anal pressures after anal sphincter injury. Stem Cell Res 2013;10:95-102.
Damaser MS, et al. Electrical stimulation of anal sphincter or pudendal nerve improves anal sphincter pressure. Dis Colon Rectum 2012;55:1284-94. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0b013e31826ae2f8.
Pastelín CF, et al. Neural pathways of somatic and visceral reflexes of the external urethral sphincter in female rats. J Comp Neurol 2012;520:3120-34. doi: 10.1002/cne.23079.
Sajadi KP, et al. Pudendal nerve stretch reduces external urethral sphincter activity in rats. J Urol 2012;188:1389-95. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.06.006.
Vaegler M, et al. Stem cell therapy for voiding and erectile dysfunction. Nat Rev Urol 2012 Jun 19. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2012.111. [Epub ahead of print].
Couri BM, et al. Animal models of female pelvic organ prolapse: lessons learned. Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol 2012;7:249-260.
Goldman HB, et al. Will we ever use stem cells for the treatment of SUI? ICI-RS 2011. Neurourol Urodyn 2012;31:386-9. doi: 10.1002/nau.22217. Review.
Salcedo L, et al. Low current electrical stimulation upregulates cytokine expression in the anal sphincter. Int J Colorectal Dis 2012;27:221-5. doi: 10.1007/s00384-011-1324-3.
Patents
| US Patent | Patent Title | Issue Date | First-Named Inventor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,537,274 | Standardized measurement of physiological pressures using an air-charged catheter apparatus | 01/21/2020 | Margot Damaser, PhD |
Careers
Research News
Dr. Margot Damaser’s new device improves on her “Fitness tracker for the bladder” and measures both pressure and volume in preclinical models.
Dr. Damaser and colleagues are testing the theory that strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can improve the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, a condition that can interfere with quality of life and is especially common in women.
The device tracks physiological data over a four to seven day monitoring period, wirelessly transmitting the information to the patient’s electronic medical record for diagnosis.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretion have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic properties that support regeneration.
The device has the potential to eliminate a need for urodynamics.