DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for bladder neck obstruction — screening already-approved drugs against its 9-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleBladder neck obstruction maps to a 9-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Structures already discussed alongside bladder neck obstruction in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
Cryo-EM structure of Ca2+-bound TMEM16A — Tamsulosin has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 8XLR, 2.93 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet jgxdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 8XLR · 2.93 Å · ligand Tamsulosin (JGX). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Bladder neck obstruction in women is rare, with a 1984 report of three cases describing chronic bladder symptoms, trabeculation, diverticula or vesicoureteral reflux, poor or absent urinary flow rates, and diagnosis established by voiding pressure-flow cystourethrography. The authors stated that specific operations to relieve bladder neck obstruction may be justified with proper urodynamic documentation.
In a 1996 retrospective review of 36 men with primary bladder neck obstruction, mean age was 41 years. Patients had significant lower urinary tract symptoms, decreased peak urinary flow rates, elevated post-void residual, markedly elevated peak voiding pressures, and poor funneling of the bladder neck during voiding. Most patients initially chose alpha-blocker therapy, but only 30% of those beginning alpha-blockers continued them long term, usually due to inadequate symptomatic improvement. Eighteen men underwent transurethral incision, which resulted in significant improvements in symptom scores, peak urinary flow rates, post-void residual, and peak voiding pressures; patients reported a mean 87% overall improvement in symptoms after transurethral incision. The authors concluded that transurethral incision is the most effective therapy for primary bladder neck obstruction.
A 1985 paper on urodynamic evaluation of bladder neck obstruction in chronic prostatitis provides no results or patient data in the abstract. A 2014 review notes that the precise cause of primary bladder neck obstruction has not been clearly elucidated, and that treatment options for men and women include pharmacotherapy with alpha-blockers and surgical intervention, but gives no new trial data or quantitative outcomes.
What is still missing are prospective randomised trials comparing alpha-blockers to surgery or to placebo in women, any controlled data on long-term renal outcomes after treatment, and validated criteria for patient stratification that predict which individuals will benefit from medical versus surgical management.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
The Journal of Urology · 1984 · 82 citations
Bladder Neck Obstruction in Women: A Real Entity
AbstractBladder neck obstruction in women is rare. Recently, we encountered 3 cases with similar findings. Clinically, the patients had chronic bladder symptoms of obstruction and irritation. The bladder showed trabeculation, diverticula and/or vesicoureteral reflux. Urinary flow rates were poor or absent. Endoscopy was unreliable in evaluating the outlet. The voiding pressure-flow cystourethrography study established the diagnosis. Specific operations to relieve bladder neck obstruction may be justified with proper urodynamic documentation.
Primary Bladder Neck Obstruction: Urodynamic Findings and Treatment Results in 36 Men
AbstractPURPOSE: We reviewed the urodynamic findings and treatment outcomes of a large series of men with primary bladder neck obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was done of the presenting symptoms and urodynamic findings of 36 men with primary bladder neck obstruction. Outcomes after treatment with alpha-blockers, transurethral incision of the bladder neck and prostate, or no long-term therapy were determined by chart review and patient survey in the majority of cases. RESULTS: Mean age of the men was 41 years. Patients had significant lower urinary tract symptoms, decreased peak urinary flow rates, elevated post-void residual, markedly elevated peak voiding pressures and poor funneling of the bladder neck during voiding. Although most patients initially chose alpha-blocker therapy, only 30% of those beginning alpha-blockers continued them long term, usually due to inadequate symptomatic improvement. A total of 18 men underwent transurethral incision, which resulted in significant improvements in symptom scores, peak urinary flow rates, post-void residual and peak voiding pressures. Patients reported a mean 87% overall improvement in symptoms after transurethral incision. CONCLUSIONS: Video urodynamics facilitate diagnosis of primary bladder neck obstruction. Transurethral incision is the most effective therapy for primary bladder neck obstruction.
MANAGEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL BLADDER NECK OBSTRUCTION IN WOMEN: USE OF α-BLOCKERS AND PEDIATRIC RESECTOSCOPE FOR BLADDER NECK INCISION
AbstractPURPOSE: Functional bladder neck obstruction has been definitively diagnosed in the last few years due to detailed synchronous pressure flow, electromyography and video urodynamics. Clean intermittent self-catheterization and bladder neck incision are the modalities of treatment. To our knowledge the role of alpha-blockers is not yet defined in women. A new technique was developed to perform bladder neck incision using a pediatric resectoscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 women with obstructive voiding symptoms or retention were evaluated with video pressure flow electromyography, and diagnosed with functional bladder neck obstruction due to high pressure and low flow on silent electromyography and bladder neck appearance on fluoroscopy. Patients were initially treated with clean intermittent self-catheterization and alpha-blockers. Catheterization was stopped when post-void residual was less than 50 ml. and only alpha-blocker therapy was continued. Bladder neck incision was performed in patients who had a poor response to or side effects of alpha-blocker therapy, or when therapy was discontinued due to economic reasons. Clean intermittent self-catheterization was continued in patients who had a poor response to alpha-blockers or refused to undergo bladder neck incision. Bladder neck incision was performed in the initial 2 cases with an adult resectoscope using a Collin's knife and subsequently a pediatric resectoscope (13F). Uroflow and post-void residual measurements were performed in all cases. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients 12 (50%) showed improvement in symptoms, peak flow and post-void residual (p <0.01) with alpha-blocker therapy only. Of the 12 patients who had a poor response to alpha-blockers 6 underwent bladder neck incision subsequently and 6 remained on clean intermittent self-catheterization. All 8 patients treated with bladder neck incision, including 2 who had a good response but discontinued alpha-blocker therapy, had sustained improvement in post-void residual and peak flow (p <0.01) after a mean followup of 3.8 +/- 2.4 years. Grade 1 stress incontinence in 2 adult resectoscope cases responded to conservative treatment. None of the pediatric resectoscope cases had stress incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Clean intermittent self-catheterization and alpha-blockers are the initial treatment options for functional bladder neck obstruction. The alpha-blockers were successful in 50% of our patients. Bladder neck incision should be offered judiciously with minimal risk of curable stress incontinence. The pediatric resectoscope is useful to make a well controlled incision safely in the female urethra.
Indian Journal of Urology · 2017 · 12 citations · open access
Urodynamic outcomes of tamsulosin in the treatment of primary bladder neck obstruction in men
Abstract<b>Introduction:</b> Alpha blockers are widely used in the treatment of primary bladder neck obstruction; however, evidence for objective urodynamic efficacy is scarce. We studied the effect of the uroselective α1-blocker tamsulosin on urodynamic parameters in male patients with type I primary bladder neck obstruction.<br><b>Methods:</b> A single center prospective observational study was carried out from July 2013 to February 2015. Male patients (18–50 years) with type 1 primary bladder neck obstruction were recruited. Selected patients were started on tablet tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily for 3 months. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), uroflow and urodynamic studies were done pre- and post-treatment. Primary outcome was decreased in minimum detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate by 15%. Wilcoxon-matched pair signed-rank test was used.<br><b>Results:</b> Of 39 patients recruited, 21 patients completed the follow-up as per protocol and were analyzed. Mean age was 41 years. 57% patients achieved the primary outcome (median detrusor pressure pre- and post-treatment were 71 and 56 cm of water, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Similarly, median values for bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI) and IPSS decreased from 59 to 38 (<i>P</i> < 0.001) and 22 to 12 (<i>P</i> < 0.001), respectively. Median maximum flow rate increased from 8 to 10 ml (<i>P</i> = 0.05). Pretreatment BOOI of >60 was associated with poor outcomes.<br><b>Conclusions:</b> Tamsulosin 0.4 mg once a day is effective in reducing bladder outlet obstruction on pressure flow studies in patients with primary bladder neck obstruction type 1.
Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia · 2014 · 0 citations · open access
Bladder neck disease and kidney damage
AbstractPrimary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) was first described in men by Marion in 1933. The precise cause of PBNO has not been clearly elucidated. This paper review the theories on etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and treatments for PBNO. Also this paper focuses on management of patients with complications like acute urine retention, hydroureteronephrosis and severe renal failure. The treatment options for men and women with PBNO include careful clinical evaluation, pharmacotherapy with alpha-blockers and surgical intervention.
Sir Salimullah Medical College Journal · 2022 · 0 citations · open access
Comparison of Outcome of Unilateral Modified Bladder Neck Incision and Tamsulosin Therapy in the Treatment of Primary Bladder Neck Obstruction in Young Men
AbstractBackground: Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) is a condition in which the bladder neck does not open appropriately or completely during voiding. Symptoms caused by primary bladder neck obstruction includes storage symptoms (Frequency, Urgency, Urge incontinence, nocturia) and voiding Symptoms (Poor urinary stream, hesitancy, incomplete emptying of bladder). Objective: To compare outcome of unilateral modified bladder neck incision with tamsulosin therapy in primary bladder neck obstruction in young men. Materials and Methods: This hospital based quasi-experimental study was conducted in the department of urology, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital. Patients with the diagnosis of primary bladder neck obstruction included in this study. Total 44 cases were included. Among them 18 were treated with unilateral modified BNI (Group A) and 26 were treated with tamsulosin therapy (Group B). Results: The mean age was found 31.11±4.77 years in group A and 34.15±5.42 years in group B. At 3rd and 6th month mean uroflowmetry (Qmax) was statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared between two groups. However, in group A and group B uroflowmetry (Qmax) was significantly increased when compared initial vs 3rd month and initial vs 6th month respectively. The study observed that after 3rd month following the treatment the retrograde ejaculation was not found in group A and 1(3.8%) found in group B. At 6th month retrograde ejaculation was not also found in group A and found 2(7.7%) in group B. At 3rd and 6th month retrograde ejaculation was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The outcome of unilateral modified BNI is better than tamsulosin therapy. All others adverse effect of both medical and surgical treatment was mild and transient that was acceptable in clinical practice. Sir Salimullah Med Coll J 2022; 30: 155-160
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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