Spinal stimulation to restore breathing after cervical spinal cord injury
Stimulation of novel spinal respiratory circuit to restore breathing in ventilator-dependent patients with SCI.
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11336794
This project uses electrical stimulation of the neck-level spinal cord to help people with cervical spinal cord injuries who rely on ventilators breathe more naturally.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11336794 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, surgeons would place a clinically approved epidural spinal cord stimulator at the cervical (neck) level and deliver targeted electrical pulses to a newly discovered spinal breathing circuit. The team will monitor breathing function to see if stimulation can restore or augment natural breathing and reduce dependence on mechanical ventilation. The approach builds on animal and early human data and uses devices already approved for other spinal indications to limit added risk. Participants will have regular follow-up visits to track safety, breathing changes, and daily function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cervical spinal cord injury who are ventilator-dependent or have severe respiratory weakness and are medically stable for spinal surgery and device implantation.
Not a fit: People without cervical-level injury, those with irreparable brainstem damage, unstable medical conditions, or clear contraindications to epidural stimulation or surgery may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore more natural, responsive breathing and reduce time on mechanical ventilation, lowering complications and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies and early human evidence indicate cervical spinal stimulation can augment breathing, but larger clinical trials are still needed to confirm safety and long-term benefit.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LU, DANIEL — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: LU, DANIEL
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 below.
Conditions: Cervical Injury, Cervical spinal cord injury