From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · NIH-11359632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at people with spinal cord injury, this project builds on 15 years of research to strengthen brain and spinal pathways that control movement in order to improve recovery and reduce disability.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $607,411 |
| NIH project number | 5R35NS122336-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with spinal cord injury who have residual motor function and may benefit from plasticity-based rehabilitation approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with complete paralysis or those unable to participate in rehabilitation due to medical contraindications may have limited benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how signals from the brain travel through spinal pathways to drive movement after spinal cord injury. It combines basic science with clinical work to test how plastic changes in corticospinal and reticulospinal connections can be harnessed to improve motor function. The team has already explored spike-timing dependent plasticity and conducted randomized trials to support exercise-based recovery, and now plans to consolidate two ongoing efforts to enhance voluntary movement and reduce spasticity. The work will translate mechanistic knowledge into potential rehabilitation strategies that patients could use to regain better control of their arms and hands.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with SCI may experience improved motor control and reduced spasticity, leading to better independence in daily activities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown that targeted motor pathway plasticity and exercise can improve recovery in chronic incomplete SCI.
Where this research is happening
-
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez, Monica a — Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
- Study coordinator: Perez, Monica a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Corticospinal neurons and recovery of precise forelimb movement after spinal cord injury
This project studies how spine injuries change brain circuits and whether targeted rehabilitation helps restore precise forelimb movement.
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How baclofen and spinal cord stimulation interact in people with spinal cord injury
This study looks at how a common antispasmodic medicine (baclofen) works together with spinal cord stimulation in people who have spinal cord injuries and live with spasticity.
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Targeting spinal cord inflammation with a new HuR inhibitor to help SCI patients
A new treatment approach uses a small molecule to block a brain-spinal inflammation regulator (HuR) that drives harmful inflammation after spinal cord injury, aiming to lessen damage and pain for people with SCI.
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From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury
A patient-focused project aims to translate how brain signals control movement after spinal cord injury into new treatments that improve muscle function and reduce spasticity.
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Polaris: a compact system to help motor recovery after spinal cord injury and stroke
A new, easy-to-use device called Polaris may help people with spinal cord injury, stroke, or other chronic conditions regain movement by guiding a specialized reflex-based therapy.
-
Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
This project looks at swallowing problems and chronic aspiration in adults with traumatic neck spine injuries to find patterns that could prevent serious lung complications.
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.