How aging changes energy use in spinal cord support cells after injury
Understanding the age-dependent mitochondrial function in astrocytes after spinal cord injury via bi-directional manipulation of activity
Researchers will change how support cells (astrocytes) in the spinal cord use energy to see if that helps people recover better after spinal cord injury, especially in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166673 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at astrocytes—the support cells around spinal cord nerves—and how their mitochondria (the cell’s energy makers) work differently with age after injury. In lab-grown cells and animal models the team will both increase and decrease mitochondrial activity in astrocytes to compare effects on lesion size, inflammation, and recovery in young versus old subjects. Measurements of tissue damage and functional outcomes will link cellular changes to overall recovery. The aim is to find cell-specific ways to improve healing without causing harmful effects seen when mitochondria are changed across all cell types.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with spinal cord injury, especially older adults or those concerned about age-related differences in recovery, would be most relevant to follow this research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediately available treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this project is preclinical laboratory research rather than a clinical trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to therapies that improve recovery after spinal cord injury by targeting energy function in astrocytes, particularly for older patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous cell and animal studies showed that altering astrocyte mitochondrial activity can change lesion size and recovery, but the age-dependent effects are not yet well understood.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hook, Michelle a — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hook, Michelle a
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 below.