How the size of nerve fibers controls brain myelin length
Official title: Mechanotransduction Control of CNS Myelin Sheath Length.
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11335660 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how the width of nerve fibers influences the length of protective myelin sheaths in the CNS, which could reveal new ways to help people with neurological diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $489,965 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS135206-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335660 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients in this phase; aims to uncover fundamental biology that may inform future patient-directed therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement or recruitment is described in this grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at how CNS myelin sheath length is determined, focusing on the idea that axon diameter may instruct how long the myelin wraps around nerves. Researchers have previously shown that synthetic axons can influence myelin length, suggesting a new model for how myelin forms in the brain and spinal cord. The work will explore cellular and molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction to understand how physical cues shape myelin architecture. Findings could inform future therapies to restore proper myelin in conditions like multiple sclerosis. The study is conducted in a lab setting, using cell culture and controlled models to translate these insights toward human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how physical cues shape myelin length could lead to therapies that restore proper signaling in CNS diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that axon diameter can influence myelin length, supporting potential applicability to human CNS repair.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bechler, Marie E — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Bechler, Marie E
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.