Investigating spinal cord pathways in stroke patients with motor impairments
Official title: Probing an increased reliance on reticulospinal motor pathways in chronic hemiparetic stroke with advanced spinal cord functional MRI
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10922730 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a stroke affects arm movement by exploring the connections in the spinal cord, and it's designed to help improve rehabilitation treatments for people who have had a stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $45,336 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS134222-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922730 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a chronic hemiparetic stroke and are facing significant upper extremity motor impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with acute stroke conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how chronic hemiparetic stroke affects upper extremity motor function by examining the spinal cord's neural pathways. Using advanced spinal cord functional MRI and electromyography, the study aims to explore the role of the contralesional cortico-reticulospinal tract in motor impairments following a stroke. By identifying the neural mechanisms behind these impairments, the research seeks to bridge the gap between brain activity and muscle function, ultimately informing the development of targeted therapies for stroke rehabilitation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients, enhancing their motor function and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the integration of spinal cord fMRI with EMG techniques is relatively novel, previous studies have shown promise in understanding motor impairments in stroke patients through neuroimaging.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hemmerling, Kimberly Jiyun — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hemmerling, Kimberly Jiyun
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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.