Oxygen to Help Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
Normobaric Oxygen Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
This project explores if giving oxygen at normal air pressure can help protect breathing and reduce damage after a spinal cord injury.
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-11160767 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When someone has a spinal cord injury, the injured area often doesn't get enough blood flow and oxygen, which can lead to more damage. This project is looking into whether providing extra oxygen at normal air pressure, rather than high pressure, can help reduce inflammation and protect nerve cells in the spinal cord. We believe that by improving oxygen delivery soon after an injury, we might be able to preserve important functions like breathing. The aim is to see if this early oxygen treatment can lead to better recovery outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on individuals who have recently experienced an acute cervical spinal cord injury.
Not a fit: Patients with long-standing spinal cord injuries or those with injuries not affecting the cervical spine may not directly benefit from this specific acute treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new and easier way to protect nerve cells and preserve breathing ability for people who have just experienced a spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using high-pressure oxygen therapy have shown promise in reducing inflammation and nerve damage after spinal cord injury, and this project explores a similar but potentially easier oxygen delivery method.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fuller, David D — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Fuller, David 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.