NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

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.

More Spinal Cord Injury research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEdward Hines Jr VA Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hines, United States)
Project startOctober 1, 2025
Project endSeptember 30, 2029
Funding year2026
NIH project number5I01RX005051-02
Project IDNIH-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

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.