How blood flow affects gray matter loss after neck spinal cord injury
Hemodynamic basis for secondary cervical grey matter tissue loss after spinal cord injury
This work looks at whether changing blood flow after a cervical (neck) spinal cord injury might protect gray matter and help recovery for people with these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11446855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a neck spinal cord injury, researchers are using a new, very fast ultrasound method to watch blood flow in the spinal cord in real time. They are testing in a rodent model how different local blood flow patterns relate to loss of gray matter near the injury. By linking specific blood flow changes to tissue loss, they aim to identify targets that could be changed to spare nerve tissue. The findings could guide future treatments to improve breathing and limb function after cervical injuries.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people who have experienced a recent cervical (neck) spinal cord injury, especially those at risk for respiratory problems or paralysis of the limbs.
Not a fit: People with long-standing, chronic spinal cord injuries where gray matter has already been lost, or those with injuries far from the neck, are less likely to benefit directly from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to preserve spinal cord gray matter after neck injuries and improve breathing and arm/leg function.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies suggest improving blood flow can limit secondary damage, but using ultrafast intravital ultrasound to guide interventions in the spinal cord is a new and largely unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khaing, Zin Z — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Khaing, Zin Z
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.