Improving blood flow and reducing fatigue after cervical spinal cord injury with vagus nerve stimulation
Enhancing Sympathetic Outflow Control Following Spinal Cord Injury Using Targeted Plasticity Therapy
This research tests whether brief bursts of vagus nerve stimulation given together with rehabilitation movements can help people with neck-level spinal cord injuries improve blood pressure control and muscle endurance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290440 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, researchers will deliver short pulses of vagus nerve stimulation at the same time I perform rehab movements to encourage rewiring of the nerve circuits that help control blood flow. They will compare doing stimulation paired with movement versus stimulation alone to find the best delivery plan. The team will track blood distribution, muscle fatigue and endurance, and changes in the underlying nerve pathways. The goal is to strengthen spared sympathetic control circuits after cervical spinal cord injury so everyday activity becomes easier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with cervical (neck-level) spinal cord injury who experience problems with blood pressure regulation, poor blood flow redistribution, or early muscle fatigue during activity.
Not a fit: People with lower-level (thoracic or lumbar) spinal cord injuries, those with medical contraindications to nerve stimulation, or whose autonomic pathways are completely lost may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve blood pressure regulation, reduce muscle fatigue, and increase endurance for people living with cervical spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown that vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehabilitation can improve motor recovery in some neurological conditions, but using it specifically to restore sympathetic blood flow control after cervical spinal cord injury is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Coral Gables, United States
- University of Miami School of Medicine — Coral Gables, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ganzer, Patrick D — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ganzer, Patrick D
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.