CSF 5-HIAA as a biomarker for secondary injury after spinal cord trauma
Official title: CSF 5-HIAA detects secondary hypoxic insults in humans with traumatic spinal cord injuries
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11393127 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if CSF 5-HIAA levels can signal ongoing brain/spinal cord damage after a traumatic spinal cord injury, with potential to guide early treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00GM159353-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393127 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with acute traumatic spinal cord injury undergoing CSF sampling as part of standard care or research procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to CSF sampling or those with injuries outside the scope of this biomarker study may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll people with traumatic spinal cord injuries to measure CSF 5-HIAA, the main metabolite of serotonin, as a potential marker of secondary injury. By comparing CSF 5-HIAA levels with clinical outcomes and other biomarkers, researchers hope to identify a reliable indicator of ongoing tissue damage. The study builds on animal data and prior human work, using established CSF sampling to track changes over time after injury. If 5-HIAA proves reliable, clinicians could better predict recovery and tailor interventions to minimize secondary damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with spinal cord injuries might receive earlier and more precise treatments to protect nerves and improve recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and human studies suggest 5-HIAA can reflect serotonin-related neuronal injury, supporting potential utility in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fields, Daryl — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Fields, Daryl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Delivering targeted, painless nerve growth factor to the spinal cord to help people with spinal cord injuries
A researcher team is testing a new way to safely deliver nerve growth factor directly to the spinal cord to help people recover after a traumatic injury.
-
Intraoral wearable with a tongue-based interface to control devices for people with cervical spinal cord injuries or ALS
A small mouth-held device lets a user move a cursor and operate devices with their tongue, helping people with quadriplegia communicate and interact more easily.
-
Brief low-oxygen sessions to prevent blood pressure problems after high spinal cord injury
This project tries to prevent dangerous blood pressure swings in people with high spinal cord injuries by giving short, controlled bouts of mild low oxygen.
-
Using mild intermittent hypoxia to help manage blood pressure issues in people with spinal cord injuries
This study is looking at how short periods of low oxygen might help people with spinal cord injuries above the 6th thoracic vertebrae manage their blood pressure and improve their overall health, especially when it comes to sleep problems.
-
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation with 4-aminopyridine and intensive rehab for chronic spinal cord injury
This pilot study tests whether combining noninvasive spinal stimulation, dalfampridine, and rigorous rehab is safe and feasible for adults with chronic spinal cord injury and whether it can help improve movement and walking.
-
NG004 for incomplete cervical spinal cord injury
This trial tests NG004 versus placebo to see if it is safe and helps motor function and daily life in adults with acute incomplete cervical spinal cord injury.
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.