How the brain rewires after stroke: a new look at restoring movement
Official title: REST Regulation of Gene Expression in Remote Post-Stroke Plasticity
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11464328 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a new imaging and analysis approach in adults to understand how stroke changes brain connections and whether these changes can be guided to improve movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $433,125 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS146921-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11464328 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with recent stroke-related motor impairment and/or researchers and clinicians seeking biomarkers or targets to improve rehabilitation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with strokes outside the motor pathway or those unable to participate in imaging or animal-model work may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant studies how the brain adapts after an ischemic stroke to regain movement. Using a non-invasive mouse stroke model and a cutting-edge platform called SpinalTRAQ, researchers map high-resolution changes in spinal cord connections and identify growth pathways that may re-activate dormant repair programs. They also examine gene activity in the motor cortex to understand which growth-related signals are turned on after injury. The work aims to uncover targets that could be leveraged to extend recovery windows and promote better motor outcomes for stroke survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new strategies to enhance motor recovery after stroke and extend recovery windows.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that post-stroke rewiring and growth programs can be activated; this project builds on that concept with advanced mapping tools.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldberg, Mark Paul — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Goldberg, Mark Paul
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
-
LRP1 controls NSC movement and stroke recovery
This NIH grant studies how a brain receptor called LRP1 helps neural stem cells move to stroke injuries and support recovery in adults.
-
BBB Dysfunction after Stroke and Risk for Dementia
A study at Stanford will look at whether inflammation after a stroke leads to leaky blood vessels and later dementia, by following stroke survivors and comparing them with people without stroke.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
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.