Spinal cord neurons that help people stand after spinal cord injury
Official title: The role of propriospinal neurons in the recovery of posture after spinal cord injury
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11501932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether activating specific spinal cord neurons can help adults with spinal cord injuries regain steady standing and posture.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $177,336 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS132487-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11501932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with spinal cord injuries who have lost the ability to stand or who have major postural instability would be most likely to benefit from therapies based on this research.
✕Less likely to help
People whose balance problems are caused by peripheral nerve damage, inner-ear disorders, non-spinal brain injuries, or other unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
Scientists are studying a set of spinal cord nerve cells called propriospinal (V3) neurons in animals to learn how they control posture and standing. They record these neurons' activity before and after spinal cord injury in mice and cats and use tools like optogenetics to turn the neurons on and off to see if that produces standing. The team maps connections from these neurons to leg and trunk muscles and examines sensory and brain inputs to understand how posture is controlled. Although experiments are in animals, the goal is to identify targets that could guide future human therapies such as targeted spinal stimulation or drugs to improve standing after spinal cord injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies (for example, targeted spinal stimulation or drugs) that help people with spinal cord injuries stand, transfer, and maintain balance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal work, including the investigators' own studies, has shown that activating these propriospinal neurons can produce standing in mice, but translating this effect to humans remains untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heckman, Charles — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Heckman, Charles
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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.