Improving Breathing After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury with Epidural Stimulation
Cervical Epidural Stimulation and Respiratory Motor Plasticity
This project explores how epidural stimulation might help people with cervical spinal cord injuries breathe better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176000 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
More than half of traumatic spinal cord injuries happen in the neck, often leading to breathing problems or the need for a ventilator. There are very few ways to help people recover their breathing after such injuries. This project is looking into a technique called epidural stimulation, which involves placing a device near the spinal cord to send electrical signals. The goal is to understand how this stimulation can improve diaphragm activity and lead to lasting breathing recovery, potentially making people less dependent on breathing machines. Researchers are studying how this stimulation affects the brain and spinal cord's ability to adapt and heal, specifically focusing on nerve cells involved in breathing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries who experience respiratory compromise or failure.
Not a fit: Patients without cervical spinal cord injuries or those whose breathing difficulties stem from other causes may not receive direct benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a new way to help patients with cervical spinal cord injuries regain independent breathing and reduce reliance on ventilators.
How similar studies have performed: While epidural stimulation has shown promise for other motor functions, this is the first study to explore its potential for long-lasting respiratory recovery in awake, freely-behaving animals.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dale, Erica Arden — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Dale, Erica Arden
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.