Serotonin-based Treatments for Cerebral Palsy in Young Children
Official title: Serotonin Based Therapeutics in Cerebral Palsy
Funded at University of Rhode Island · NIH-11369926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at helping kids with cerebral palsy, this project tests whether blocking serotonin signals in developing spinal circuits can reduce muscle stiffness and improve movement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $599,106 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132728-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369926 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with spastic cerebral palsy or related motor dysfunction stemming from early developmental injury, who could benefit from future therapies targeting serotonin pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Children with CP due to non-serotonergic mechanisms or those outside the developmental window for planned interventions may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on young children with cerebral palsy and investigates how blocking specific serotonin receptors during development might normalize motor nerve activity. Using a animal model of CP that mimics human motor problems, the team will study how 5-HT antagonists affect motor neuron behavior and muscle control. The goal is to see if these treatments can lessen hypertonia, weakness, and exaggerated reflexes by stabilizing spinal circuitry during a critical growth period. Results could guide future therapies that improve daily movement and quality of life for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lead to new therapies that reduce stiffness and improve motor function in children with CP.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown that altering serotonin signaling can modify motor neuron activity and mitigate motor deficits in CP-like conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinlan, Katharina Ann — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Quinlan, Katharina Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Measuring how kids with cerebral palsy adapt their walking
A study to understand how children with cerebral palsy learn and adjust walking, and how personalized feedback during walking might improve their mobility.
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Precise measure of how CP affects movement to guide treatment
Aims to create precise, child-friendly ways to measure selective motor control in cerebral palsy so treatment can be tailored to each child.
-
Non-invasive spinal stimulation to help kids with cerebral palsy move and reduce stiffness
This study tests a non-invasive spinal stimulation plus treadmill training to reduce spasticity and improve walking in children with cerebral palsy.
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Physiologic marker to predict cerebral palsy early in high-risk babies
Aims to create an early, easy screen using NICU vital signs to flag infants at higher risk for cerebral palsy so families can get timely follow-up.
-
Post-surgical foot deformities in adults with cerebral palsy: understanding long-term function
This research looks at how hindfoot problems in adults with cerebral palsy behave over time after childhood surgeries and what factors influence their lasting function.
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Dynamic Brain Imaging of Cerebral Palsy Gait
This project uses advanced brain and spinal imaging to understand how cerebral palsy affects the way young people plan and control their leg movements during walking.
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.