Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Official title: Defining and Predicting Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11509590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at swallowing problems and chronic aspiration in adults with traumatic neck spine injuries to find patterns that could prevent serious lung complications.
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 start | September 11, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $647,588 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD121800-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11509590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+ years) with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cervical spinal cord injury or those not at risk for airway-protection impairments would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
People with traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries often have trouble swallowing during the hospital stay, and many years later some still aspirate silently. The study will follow patients over time to map how airway protection and cough function change from the acute phase through recovery. Researchers aim to create a risk model that can identify who is most at risk for chronic aspiration so targeted prevention can be applied. By understanding the physiologic basis of dysphagia after injury, the team hopes to reduce long-term respiratory problems and mortality.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to earlier identification and prevention of chronic aspiration, improving long-term lung health for people with cervical spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show a substantial rate of silent aspiration years after injury, but comprehensive longitudinal cohorts are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vose, Alicia K — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Vose, Alicia K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Breathing After Cervical Cord Injury
A non-invasive therapy using gentle electrical stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Combining breathing therapies to help restore breathing after neck-level spinal cord injury
This project will see whether brief bursts of low oxygen combined with breathing exercises or exercise can help people with chronic neck spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Transplanting Lab-Grown Human Neurons to Help cervical spinal cord injuries
Researchers are testing whether transplanting lab-made human neurons into the neck portion of the spinal cord can improve arm and hand function after injury.
-
Neural repair for chronic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury with NgR blockade plus rehab
Aiming to help adults with long-standing incomplete cervical spinal cord injury improve movement and function by blocking a specific nerve signal pathway and adding targeted rehabilitation.
-
Using a mobile robot to help people with severe spinal cord injuries live more independently
This study is working on a friendly robot that can help people with tetraplegia do everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, making life a little easier and more independent while also supporting their emotional needs.
-
Improving breathing recovery after cervical spinal cord injury
This study is looking at new ways to help people with cervical spinal cord injuries breathe better by combining special breathing exercises with short periods of low oxygen, aiming to boost their recovery and strengthen their breathing muscles.
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.