A new combination therapy to boost nerve growth and help recovery after chronic spinal cord injury

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project focuses on people with chronic thoracic spinal cord injury and explores a therapy designed to encourage axons to grow and rejoin neural circuits. Researchers will consider how intrinsic nerve growth programs and the hostile scar environment interact, with the goal of improving motor abilities. The study will be conducted through the Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital and led by Dr. Martin Oudega, leveraging prior work on neuroplasticity and spinal cord repair. If successful, the approach could translate into strategies that help Veterans and others regain walking or arm/hand function after injury.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
  Hines, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Oudega, Martin — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
• Study coordinator: Oudega, Martin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

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About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.