Biomarkers that predict recovery after spinal cord injury in veterans
Official title: Biomarkers for Recovery of Veterans with Severe Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-11412203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We’re studying blood and body signals to help doctors predict how well veterans with spinal cord injuries might recover during rehab.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hines, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2025 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX005051-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412203 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with motor complete or incomplete spinal cord injury admitted for inpatient rehabilitation at participating VA hospitals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing inpatient rehab or those without SCI would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to use physiological and blood-based biomarkers to forecast neurological and functional gains for veterans with spinal cord injuries undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. The study will involve multiple VA sites to capture diverse patients and improve recruitment. Researchers will look at spasticity and its relationship to recovery, using clinical exams and motion data at admission and discharge to track progress. The focus is on translating biomarker findings into practical predictors that can guide personalized rehabilitation plans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients and clinicians could tailor rehabilitation goals and therapies based on biomarker-informed forecasts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between biomarkers and recovery, but this trial aims to validate them in a multicenter veteran population.
Where this research is happening
-
Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
Hines, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez, Monica a — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Perez, Monica a
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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.