A neck exoskeleton to help patients with ALS manage head drop
Official title: A structurally suitable neck exoskeleton for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10811000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, comfy neck support for people with ALS who struggle with head drop, aiming to make it easier for them to move their heads and feel better about using the device, with input from patients to make sure it really helps their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $148,449 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD111884-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10811000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who experience head drop.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ALS who do not experience head drop or have advanced stages of the disease where device use is not feasible may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a comfortable and effective neck exoskeleton for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who experience head drop. Many current neck braces are uncomfortable and lead to poor compliance, resulting in untreated head drop that can worsen breathing, swallowing, and communication difficulties. The project aims to create a user-friendly device that enhances head and neck movement while improving patient satisfaction. Patients with ALS will actively participate in the design process to ensure the device meets their needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for ALS patients by providing a practical solution to manage head drop.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various assistive technologies developed for ALS, this specific approach of a neck exoskeleton is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Haohan — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Haohan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
Understanding how work exposures and genes influence ALS risk
A study is building a long-term group of people at higher risk for ALS to see how their jobs, exposures at work, and genes together affect if and when the disease might develop.
-
NUZ-001: a treatment option for ALS to protect nerve cells
A small molecule called NUZ-001 is being tested to help people with ALS by improving cell systems that keep proteins balanced and prevent harmful protein clumps.
-
Alpha5 integrin's role in ALS: how a cell switch worsens disease
Aims to understand how a specific protein called alpha5 integrin in immune cells affects ALS progression and whether blocking it can help extend life.
-
C9orf72 ALS/FTD Prevent: prepping for future treatment
This grant aims to get ready for a preventive treatment for people who carry the C9orf72 genetic change that can lead to ALS or frontotemporal dementia.
-
Air pollutants and ALS: mapping environmental links to motor neuron disease
This NIH grant explores whether different air pollutants are linked to the development of ALS and uses a large U.S. data set to look for environmental risk factors.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.