How brain-to-spine nerve cells may help restore precise hand and arm movement after spinal cord injury
The Role of Corticospinal Neurons in the Recovery of Dexterous Forelimb Function After Spinal Cord Injury
['FUNDING_R01'] · WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST · NIH-11309165
This work explores whether targeted rehabilitation can guide damaged brain-to-spine nerve cells to rewire and help people with spinal cord injuries regain fine hand and forearm movement.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (WHITE PLAINS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11309165 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will study how spinal cord injury changes motor maps in the brain and how specific rehabilitation drives structural remodeling of corticospinal neurons. Using advanced imaging and circuit-level experiments, researchers will track injured neurons and how they become part of functional motor networks. The goal is to identify the types of training that best promote recovery of skilled forelimb use. Findings are intended to point toward rehab strategies or therapies that could be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with spinal cord injury that has impaired hand or forearm dexterity and who might later consider enrolling in rehab-focused clinical trials.
Not a fit: People whose injuries do not affect corticospinal pathways or who have unrelated neurological conditions are unlikely to benefit from this specific line of work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could inform new rehabilitation approaches that improve recovery of fine hand and arm function after spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show that targeted rehabilitation can reshape motor cortex maps and improve skilled forelimb use, but translating those findings into effective human therapies remains limited.
Where this research is happening
WHITE PLAINS, UNITED STATES
- WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST — WHITE PLAINS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HOLLIS, EDMUND R — WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST
- Study coordinator: HOLLIS, EDMUND R
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.
Conditions: CNS Injury