Enhancing and restoring sensory perception using a spinal device
Official title: Sensory Augmentation, Restoration, and Modulation Using a Spinal Neuroprosthesis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11082820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a special device that helps people with sensory loss, like those with injuries or neurological conditions, by sending signals to the brain to create new sensations, which could make everyday life easier and improve movement and recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,188,494 |
| NIH project number | 7DP2NS136872-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from sensory loss due to spinal cord injuries or neurological disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact sensory perception or those whose conditions do not involve sensory loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a spinal neuroprosthesis that can augment, restore, and modulate sensory perceptions by transmitting high-bandwidth information directly to the brain. The approach involves using sensory spinal cord stimulation (SSCS) to mimic sensory signals, which could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with sensory loss due to injuries or neurological conditions. Pre-clinical experiments have shown promise in animals, indicating that they can learn to detect and differentiate artificial sensations induced by this technology. The ultimate goal is to create a device that can provide real-time sensory feedback, enhancing motor control and rehabilitation outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to groundbreaking advancements in sensory restoration for individuals with sensory impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Pre-clinical studies in animals have shown success with similar approaches, indicating potential for human application.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yadav, Amol P — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Yadav, Amol P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
A center for coordinating data related to heart and blood health.
This study is working on a new system to gather and analyze health information about heart and blood disorders, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat these conditions, ultimately helping patients like you.
-
Healthy work design and worker well-being
A multi-site program aims to improve the health and well-being of workers by studying how work design affects safety, stress, and quality of life.
-
Unified and fair multimodal learning for autoimmune diseases
A patient-friendly AI approach will combine many kinds of health data to improve diagnosis and personalized care for autoimmune diseases, including lupus.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
Non-invasive tears biomarker for early Alzheimer's in LMICs
A low-cost, tear-based biomarker approach aims to detect early Alzheimer’s disease in older adults in Peru and similar settings.
-
How HPV interacts with our cells' DNA damage system and its effect on cancer
This project looks at how high-risk HPV uses the body’s DNA repair machinery to replicate and potentially drive cancer, with the goal of finding new antiviral and cancer-fighting approaches for people affected by HPV-related diseases.
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.