Conductive polymer and stem cell therapy to boost stroke recovery
A Conductive Polymer-Stem Cell System to Augment Endogenous Stroke Repair Mechanisms and Improve Functional Stroke Recovery
This research tests whether transplanting neural stem cells on a conductive polymer scaffold with mild electrical stimulation can help adults regain movement and daily function after a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235905 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work places neural stem cells onto a tiny conductive polymer scaffold that can be placed into the area of the brain damaged by stroke. The scaffold allows gentle electrical signals to the transplanted cells to help them survive, grow, and connect with the brain. Early lab results showed better recovery and an increase in the brain's own repair cells, so the team will study how those native stem cells contribute to healing. The goal is to refine this approach so it could one day be offered to adults recovering from stroke.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would be adults who have had a stroke, are medically stable, and are willing to consider a targeted brain procedure.
Not a fit: People with widespread or rapidly progressing brain damage, active infections, blood-clotting disorders, or who cannot undergo neurosurgery would likely not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this method could improve motor and functional recovery after stroke and reduce long-term disability.
How similar studies have performed: Stem cell transplants have shown promise in animal studies and some early human trials, but combining them with conductive scaffolds and electrical stimulation is a newer strategy still mostly tested in the lab.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: George, Paul — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: George, Paul
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 below.