Hormone Treatment to Help Nerves and Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
Official title: Hormonal Intervention Protects Axon-myelin to Promote Functional Recovery in SCI
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11131093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how special hormone-carrying particles might help protect nerves and muscles and improve recovery for people with severe spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2012 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX001262-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11131093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work is for individuals with severe spinal cord injury who might benefit from future hormonal therapies aimed at nerve protection and muscle preservation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose spinal cord injury is not related to the mechanisms targeted by this hormonal intervention may not receive direct benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Severe spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex condition that causes lasting neurological problems and muscle loss due to immobility. Our laboratory has previously found that a hormone called estrogen (E2) can protect nerves in rats with SCI. This project is looking at new ways to deliver estrogen using tiny nanoparticles, which could make the treatment safer and more effective for people. We hope this approach will help reduce nerve damage and muscle loss, leading to better recovery for those with spinal cord injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments that protect nerve cells and prevent muscle loss, significantly improving recovery and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory work by this team has shown that estrogen can protect nerves in animal models of spinal cord injury, suggesting a promising direction for this novel delivery method.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banik, Naren L — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Banik, Naren L
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.