Rebuilding brain pathways to improve motor function in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Tissue Engineered Nigrostriatal Pathway for Anatomical Tract Reconstruction in Parkinson's Disease
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10915583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with Parkinson's disease by creating special pathways in the brain using human stem cells, which could improve movement better than current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $563,729 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS127895-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing motor function decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease or those who have other neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating Parkinson's disease by reconstructing the nigrostriatal pathway, which is crucial for motor function. The team will create tissue-engineered pathways using human stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and their axonal fibers, encased in a biocompatible hydrogel. These engineered pathways will be implanted to restore the anatomical connections in the brain, aiming to enhance motor function compared to traditional therapies. The research will be conducted using a rat model to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in motor function for patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific method of pathway reconstruction using tissue-engineered solutions is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cullen, Daniel Kacy — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Cullen, Daniel Kacy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry
A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.
-
Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
-
Gut-brain communication in Parkinson’s disease for better symptoms and daily life
This project enrolls people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls to build a big registry and study how gut function, brain signals, sleep, and circadian rhythms relate to PD symptoms.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
-
Understanding posture and movement in Parkinson’s patients to reduce falls
A study using wearable sensors to track real-world balance and movement in people with Parkinson’s disease to help prevent falls.
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.