CHERTSEY, England, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
$150,000 Grant awarded to project led by Dr Rahnama'i from Maastricht University Medical Centre
The Astellas European Foundation has announced the winner of the Functional Urology/Uro-Gynaecology Grant as Dr M.S. Rahnama'i from Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands. The Grant will fund the project titled 'An Imaging Biomarker for Bladder Activity Disorders: Functional Magnetic Resonance 7 Tesla Imaging ( fMRI) in combination with urodynamics to study the effect of bladder sensory stimulation on brain activity in patients with a Bladder activity disorder, including the effect of antimuscarinic and beta mimetic agents'.
Dr M.S. Rahnama'i, said "The aim of our study is to find out the effect of currently applied medication for bladder dysfunction disorders on relevant brain areas involved in bladder sensation. This study will be carried out by 7 Tesla fMRI brain scans during simultaneous urodynamic studies. For me personally, after finishing my residency next year, this grant is very important in enhancing my chances for getting a position as an academic urologist (consultant) at Maastricht University Medical Center, which will allow me to continue my research alongside my clinical career."
Dr Ayad Abdulahad, Astellas European Foundation Trustee and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Health Economics for Astellas Pharma EMEA commented, "This is a worthy winner in our tenth year of urology-focussed grant giving. We would like to thank everyone who has applied this year and over the past decade. We would like to congratulate Dr Rahnama'i on the proposal to use imaging technology to study the brain activity of patients living with bladder activity disorders. This could contribute to identifying an imaging biomarker and enable a future with personalised treatment regimens for patients with both overactive and underactive bladder."
The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity with the long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that advance our understanding of medicine and health. The winner of the Grant is selected by a Judging Faculty that includes independent European thought leaders. The Foundation offers annual Grants of $150,000 for Functional Urology and Uro-Gynaecology, Uro-Oncology and Transplantation. For information regarding the Grant process please contact the Astellas European Foundation by email at aef@astellas.com or call +44-203 379 8039.
Notes to Editors
About The Astellas European Foundation
The Astellas European Foundation is a registered charity, formed in 2005, with the long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. In line with this aim, the Foundation has made substantial donations to global charities. The Astellas European Foundation also supports Astellas employees in their private fundraising efforts for charitable causes. The Astellas European Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, number 1036344.
The Astellas European Foundation was established by funding from Astellas Pharma Inc, but operates independently of it.
APEL/15/0012/EUa
March 2015
