Regionally Specific Transplants to Restore Breathing After Cervical Spine Injury
Official title: Engineering Regionally Specific Transplants for Neuromodulation-Driven SCI Repair
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-11435055 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused look at a study that aims to repair breathing circuits after cervical spinal cord injury using stem-cell–derived nerve cells and targeted neuromodulation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $716,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS151039-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435055 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cervical spinal cord injury who rely on diaphragm function and may be candidates for cell-based repair strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with injuries outside the cervical region or those unable to undergo transplant procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to transplant human stem cell–derived neurons into the injured cervical spinal cord to rebuild the neural circuits that control the diaphragm. It will compare ventral, dorsal, and combined donor cell transplants, using advanced imaging and diaphragm measurements to see how well the transplanted cells connect with the patient’s own nerves. The study also tests daily neuromodulation to boost the activity and integration of these transplanted cells, aiming for stronger and more reliable breathing restoration. If successful, the approach could form a foundation for restoring respiratory function in people with high cervical injuries.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with cervical spinal cord injuries could regain improved breathing and independence due to repaired respiratory circuits.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical and early studies have shown that ventral spinal progenitors can integrate and improve respiration, with dorsal cells contributing to motor plasticity; combining approaches could enhance outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zholudeva, Lyandysha Viktorovna — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Zholudeva, Lyandysha Viktorovna
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.