From Neural Control of Movement to Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago D/b/a Shirley Ryan Abilitylab · NIH-11605996 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $160,317 |
| NIH project number | 3R35NS122336-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11605996 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with spinal cord injury or related motor impairments who could benefit from improved motor pathway modulation and spasticity management.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals whose injuries are outside the scope of motor pathway modulation or who cannot participate in the specific therapy modalities studied may not experience a benefit.
What this research studies
This program builds on years of research about how the brain and spinal cord communicate to move muscles, especially after spinal cord injury. It plans to combine existing knowledge about motor pathways and muscle response to create therapies that enhance recovery and reduce abnormal reflexes. The work includes clinical insights from people with SCI and tests that could lead to practical treatments to restore voluntary movement and manage spasticity. By clarifying how different brain pathways contribute to function, the project seeks to tailor interventions to individual patients’ needs and improve daily activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with spinal cord injuries could gain better voluntary control of movement and less spasticity, improving independence and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that targeted plasticity and motor pathway modulation can improve exercise-mediated recovery in chronic incomplete SCI, supporting potential translational benefits.
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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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.
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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.
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Spinal cord neurons that help people stand after spinal cord injury
This project will test whether activating specific spinal cord neurons can help adults with spinal cord injuries regain steady standing and posture.
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.