Keeping muscles strong by understanding nerve cell support
Preservation of muscle function through Schwann cell regulation of motor unit expansion
This work explores how special nerve cells called Schwann cells help maintain muscle strength as we age and in conditions like ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195151 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As people get older, many experience sarcopenia, which is a natural loss of muscle mass and function that can make daily activities harder. This research looks into how the connections between nerves and muscles, called motor units, can expand to help preserve muscle function when some nerve fibers are lost. We are trying to understand the specific cell responses and molecular signals that allow these motor units to grow and repair themselves. By uncovering these natural protective processes, we hope to find new ways to prevent or treat muscle weakness and loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for individuals experiencing age-related muscle weakness (sarcopenia) or those with conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Not a fit: Patients whose muscle weakness is not related to motor unit disruptions or Schwann cell function may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or interventions to prevent or slow down muscle loss in aging and in diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of motor unit remodeling is known, this specific signaling pathway involving Spp1-CD44-protein kinase C alpha has not been previously studied in sarcopenia, making this a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brooks, Susan V — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Brooks, Susan V
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.