Developing a new platform for treating swallowing difficulties and pneumonia after a stroke

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating an open-source system that can stimulate autonomic nerves to help patients who have difficulty swallowing and are at risk of aspiration pneumonia after a stroke. The project aims to validate this system through testing in large animals, ensuring it can effectively stimulate the cervical vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. By using an open-architecture approach, the researchers hope to overcome the limitations of existing closed systems, making it easier for future clinical applications. Patients may benefit from improved swallowing function and reduced risk of pneumonia as a result of this innovative technology.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Meng, Ellis — University of Southern California
• Study coordinator: Meng, Ellis

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Brain changes after stroke: how aging and tongue exercises affect swallowing

  A study from UW–Madison looks at why swallowing trouble after stroke persists, and whether age and tongue exercises can help restore swallowing more than just using tricks.

  NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11365463

• How breathing and swallowing coordination affects long-term swallowing problems after stroke

  This project looks at how the timing between breathing and swallowing may contribute to chronic swallowing problems in people who had an ischemic stroke.

  NIH research Ohio State University · Columbus, UNITED STATES · NIH-11354905

• Understanding how swallowing problems and mouth bacteria affect pneumonia in older adults

  A research project at UW–Madison will look at how swallowing issues and the mouth’s bacteria contribute to pneumonia in people aged 65 and older.

  NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11278178

• Understanding how stroke affects pneumonia risk and recovery

  This study is looking at how having a stroke might make patients more likely to get serious pneumonia, and it aims to find new ways to help stroke survivors recover better by understanding how their bodies react to infections.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-10894099

• Understanding barriers to better care for stroke survivors with communication and swallowing difficulties

  This study looks at how challenges in healthcare systems can affect the care that stroke survivors with speech and swallowing difficulties receive, especially for those from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and aims to find ways to make their rehabilitation better and fairer.

  NIH research University of Florida · Gainesville, United States · NIH-10839390

• Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria

  A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.

  NIH research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Nashville, United States · NIH-11629280

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.