Polymer device to help the injured spinal cord heal
Promoting spinal cord repair using a polymer-based drug delivery system
A polymer-based device will deliver drugs directly to injured spinal cords to help nerve fibers regrow and improve recovery in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325070 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops a small polymer system that can release drugs right at the site of a spinal cord injury to encourage nerve regrowth. Researchers build on animal findings that drugs like gabapentin can promote axon regeneration and aim to package these medicines into the polymer to avoid whole-body side effects. In the lab they will test the polymer's drug release, its effects on nerve fibers, and whether it improves movement and sensory function in models of spinal cord injury. Success here could lead to future human trials where the device is placed near the injury to deliver medicine locally.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with recent traumatic spinal cord injuries would be the most likely candidates for this line of treatment.
Not a fit: People under 21, those with non-traumatic spinal conditions, or those with long-standing complete spinal cord injuries may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could promote nerve regrowth at the injury site and improve movement and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown that gabapentinoids can help axon regeneration and recovery, but delivering them locally with a polymer device is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tedeschi, Andrea — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Tedeschi, Andrea
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.